Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [dih-fahyn]
- /dɪˈfaɪn/
- /dɪˈfaɪn/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [dih-fahyn]
- /dɪˈfaɪn/
Definitions of define word
- verb define to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of 4
- verb define If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like. 3
- verb define If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary. 3
- verb define to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc) 3
- verb define to determine the boundary or extent of 3
- verb define to delineate the form or outline of 3
Information block about the term
Origin of define
First appearance:
before 1325 One of the 16% oldest English words
1325-75; Middle English def(f)inen < Anglo-French, Old French definer to put an end to < Latin dēfīnīre to limit, define, equivalent to dē- de- + fīnīre; see finish
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Define
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
define popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
define usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for define
verb define
- delineate — If you delineate something such as an idea or situation, you describe it or define it, often in a lot of detail.
- represent — to present again or anew.
- decide — If you decide to do something, you choose to do it, usually after you have thought carefully about the other possibilities.
- describe — If you describe a person, object, event, or situation, you say what they are like or what happened.
- prescribe — to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed; appoint, ordain, or enjoin.
Antonyms for define
verb define
- hesitate — to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.
- obscure — (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain: an obscure sentence in the contract.
- misrepresent — to represent incorrectly, improperly, or falsely.
- hide — Informal. to administer a beating to; thrash.
- distort — to twist awry or out of shape; make crooked or deformed: Arthritis had distorted his fingers.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with de
- Words starting with def
- Words starting with defi
- Words starting with defin
- Words starting with define