punctuate

[puhngk-choo-eyt]

verb (used with object)

punctuated, punctuating 

1. to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.

2. to interrupt at intervals.

   Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.

3. to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.

verb (used without object)

punctuated, punctuating 

1. to insert or use marks of punctuation.

punctuate

/ ˈpʌŋktjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. (also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)

2. to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals

   a meeting punctuated by heckling

3. to give emphasis to

Other Word Forms

• punctuator noun
• nonpunctuating adjective
• repunctuate verb (used with object)
• unpunctuated adjective
• unpunctuating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of punctuate¹

1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; punctual

Word History and Origins

Origin of punctuate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin punctuāre to prick, from Latin punctum a prick, from pungere to puncture

Example Sentences

Before Saturday’s grim discovery, this year’s Burning Man was punctuated by unexpected joy when a 36-year-old woman gave birth to a baby girl.

From Los Angeles Times

Then, Nestor Cortes followed up his six shutout innings against the Dodgers last week with a three-inning, three-run clunker that was punctuated with an ejection.

From Los Angeles Times

Wet Leg's headline set will be punctuated by fireworks from Edinburgh Castle at midnight, marking the start of 2026.

From BBC

Royal Mail is introducing 3,500 solar-powered postboxes across the UK, altering the iconic look of the red pillar boxes that have punctuated Britain's streets for nearly two centuries.

From BBC

And having spent years living in and traveling through the South, I’ve also seen what these restaurants mean to people: family road trips, post-church lunches, Friday night suppers punctuated by rocking-chair visits.

From Salon

Related Words

• interrupt 
• intersperse 
• pepper 
• sprinkle 
• underline