define

define — verb

1. To state the intended sense of a specific word, phrase, or symbol in a clear and

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To state the intended sense of a specific word, phrase, or symbol in a clear and exact way.

Example

The dictionary defines 'photosynthesis' as the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.

define + noun + as + complement

Gabriel struggled to define 'empathy' when his little sister asked him what it meant.

Common collocations
  • define a term
  • define a word
  • define a phrase
  • define as
  • clearly defined
Synonyms
  • explain

    broader; covers processes, reasons, and causes, not just word meanings

  • specify

    more precise; focuses on listing exact details rather than giving a general sense

  • clarify

    aims to remove confusion from something already partly understood

Antonyms
  • obscure

    to hide or make the meaning hard to see

  • confuse

    to mix up meanings so the word becomes unclear

Grammar Patterns

define + noun + as + noun/phrase

define + wh-clause

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'as' when providing the specific wording of a definition. The subject is typically a dictionary, textbook, or a person explaining a word's meaning. For setting the scope of roles or rules, use sense 2 (DELIMIT).

Common Mistakes

The teacher defined me the word.
The teacher defined the word for me.
'define' does not take an indirect object without using 'for'.
The dictionary defines the meaning of the word.
The dictionary defines the word.
the word itself is the object, not its meaning.

2. To set the precise nature, scope, or boundaries of something, such as a rule, ro

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To set the precise nature, scope, or boundaries of something, such as a rule, role, or duty, so that it is clearly understood.

Example

The contract clearly defines each partner's duties and how profits are shared.

define + duties / responsibilities

Aylin's role as project manager was defined in detail by the employee handbook.

passive: be defined + by + [document]

Common collocations
  • define a role
  • define boundaries
  • define scope
  • define a policy
  • clearly defined
  • broadly defined
Synonyms
  • delineate

    more formal; implies careful drawing of boundaries

  • determine

    focuses on fixing something after investigation; less about boundaries

  • specify

    stresses listing exact details rather than setting limits

Antonyms
  • confuse

    to mix up boundaries so nothing is clear

  • blur

    to make the edges or limits fuzzy

Grammar Patterns

define + noun (role, scope, boundary)

be defined + by/as/in

Usage Note

Common in formal and academic contexts such as contracts, policy documents, and scientific research. Frequently passive: 'be defined + by/as/in'. Distinguish from sense 1 (STATE MEANING): here the object is a role, scope, or boundary rather than a word being given a dictionary sense.

Common Mistakes

The contract defines about our duties.
The contract defines our duties.
'define' is transitive; do not add 'about' before the object.

3. To make the outline or physical form of something clearly visible, especially be

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

To make the outline or physical form of something clearly visible, especially because it stands out against a different background or surface.

Example

The mountain peaks were sharply defined against the orange sunset sky.

passive: be defined against [background]

Arjun could see the cathedral's outline clearly defined through the cold morning fog.

Common collocations
  • sharply defined
  • clearly defined
  • well defined
  • defined against
Synonyms
  • outline

    more direct and common in everyday visual descriptions

  • silhouette

    verb form; specific to dark shapes seen against a lighter background

Antonyms
  • obscure

    to hide the outline from view

  • blur

    to make the edges unclear or fuzzy

Grammar Patterns

be defined + against/in

define + noun (outline, shape, feature)

Usage Note

Common in visual descriptions and art. Frequently used with 'against' or 'in' to indicate the background that makes the outline stand out. Often passive, particularly with 'sharply' or 'clearly'. Distinguish from sense 2 (DELIMIT): here the object is a physical outline visible to the eye, not an abstract boundary.

Common Mistakes

The artist defined the shape of the vase.' (ambiguous).
The artist defined the outline of the vase with a dark line.
in sense 3, be specific about the outline or edge, not the whole shape.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five verbs involve making something understandable, but they operate at different levels of precision. 'Define' is the most exact — it gives the strict meaning of a word or concept, as a dictionary does: 'The textbook defines 'gravity' as the force pulling objects toward Earth.' 'Explain' is broader; you can explain a process, a reason, or a rule: 'The mechanic explained how the brake system works.' 'Clarify' means to remove confusion from something that was already partly known: 'The teacher clarified the homework instructions so everyone understood.' 'Specify' narrows things further by naming a particular detail: 'The email specifies a deadline of Friday at noon.' 'Articulate' stresses clear, fluent expression: 'The candidate articulated her vision for the school in plain language.' Use 'define' when you need the exact boundaries of meaning; use 'explain' when you want to show how something works or why it matters.

define ↗explain ↗clarify ↗specify ↗articulate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be defined as
  • define in terms of
  • by definition
  • clearly defined
  • sharply defined

Prepositions

  • define as
  • define by
  • define in
  • define in terms of
  • define against

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Latin 'definire', composed of 'de-' ('completely, down') and 'finis' ('end, boundary, limit'). The original Latin sense was 'to set boundaries, to mark off limits'. English borrowed it through Old French around the 14th century, first using it for setting physical boundaries. The modern senses all extend the same metaphor: sense 1 sets the 'bounds' of what a word covers; sense 2 sets abstract limits for rules and roles; sense 3 makes physical outlines stand out against a background.