define
[verb]
Synonyms:
- describe, characterize, designate, explain, expound, interpret, specify, spell out
- mark out, bound, circumscribe, delineate, demarcate, limit, outline

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Contrasted words: confound, confuse, mistake
Related Words: circumscribe, limit, mark (off), mark (out), designate, delineate, describe, explain, expound, interpret

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

de‧fine S2 W2 AC /dɪˈfaɪn/ verb [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: define; noun: definition; adverb: definitely ≠ indefinitely; adjective: definite ≠ indefinite]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: definer, from Latin definire, from finire 'to limit, end']

1. to describe something correctly and thoroughly, and to say what standards, limits, qualities etc it has that make it different from other things:
the ability to define clients’ needs
The duties of the post are difficult to define.
clearly/well defined
The tasks will be clearly defined by the tutor.
define something as something
70% of the workers can be defined as low-paid.

2. to explain exactly the meaning of a particular word or idea ⇒ definition:
I’ll now try to define the term ‘popular culture’.
define something as something
A budget is defined as ‘a plan of action expressed in money terms’.
Define precisely what you mean by ‘crime’.

3. to show the edge or shape of something clearly ⇒ definition:
The bird has sharply defined black and rust markings.
—definable adjective

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

define
verb
ADV. accurately, carefully, correctly, exactly, explicitly, precisely, specifically It is important to define these terms accurately.
clearly, fully, strongly, well | adequately There may be problems if responsibilities are not adequately defined.
ill, poorly | broadly We have chosen to define the scope of our study quite broadly.
loosely, vaguely | closely, narrowly, rigidly, strictly, tightly | simply, solely | easily | formally, officially | traditionally | culturally, geographically, socially the culturally defined role of women
legally
VERB + DEFINE be difficult to, be impossible to | be easy to Social values are not easy to define.
PREP. in terms of The difficulty of a problem was defined in terms of how long it took to complete.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲