define

B1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /dɪˈfaɪn/ See IPA manual

Freq #7008

Meanings

1

verb
To explain the exact meaning of a word or idea.

The teacher asked us to define the word in our own words.
2

verb
To describe the true nature or main features of something.

How would you define a good friend?
3

verb
To set or mark out the exact limits or shape of something.

The fence defines the edge of our property.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

3 verb · to set or mark out the... delineate

Word family

Forms definddefineddefinesdefining

Derived forms career-definingcodefinedefinabilitydefinabledefinatorydefineedefinementdefinerera-definingmisdefineoverdefinepre-defined

Related forms definiendum definiens definite definitiondefinitory

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

defining moment
a point in time that shapes the nature or outcome of something larger

Adjective + noun

Proverbs (1)

See all

Our choices define us

Simplified etymology

Define entered English in the Late Middle English period. It belongs to the word family associated with fin, “end,” and is linked to the older sense of fine, “thoroughly finished,” which also lies behind refine, finery, and finesse.

Etymology

From Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”).

definen Middle English definer Old French dēfīniō Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# define

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /dɪˈfaɪn/
**Frequency rank:** 7008

## Meanings
1. To explain the exact meaning of a word or idea.
2. To describe the true nature or main features of something.
3. To set or mark out the exact limits or shape of something.

## Examples
- The teacher asked us to define the word in our own words.
- How would you define a good friend?
- The fence defines the edge of our property.

## Derived Forms
- career-defining
- codefine
- definability
- definable
- definatory
- definee
- definement
- definer
- era-defining
- misdefine
- overdefine
- pre-defined

## Related Forms
- definiendum
- definiens
- definite
- definition
- definitory

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: definen
- Root: definer
- Root: dēfīniō

## Etymology
From Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”).

## AI Etymology
define comes from Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”). The historical chain includes Middle English definen, Old French definer, Latin dēfīniō. Current senses include to explain the exact meaning of a word or idea and to describe the true nature or main features of something. English relatives and later formations include career-defining, codefine, definability, definiendum, definiens.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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