dictate

dictate — verb

1. to order someone to do something in a forceful way, using your power or position

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to order someone to do something in a forceful way, using your power or position and leaving no room for discussion or refusal

Example

The new manager tried to dictate how everyone should do their work, which upset the team.

dictate + how-clause for ordering procedures

Kian refused to let anyone dictate what he should study at university.

Common collocations
  • dictate to
  • dictate terms
  • dictate conditions
  • dictate policy
  • dictate what/how/where
Synonyms
  • order

    more general; does not always carry a negative tone

  • command

    stronger and more military in tone; implies formal authority

  • impose

    focuses on forcing acceptance of a rule or condition rather than giving an instruction

Antonyms
  • follow

    to obey or comply with directions rather than give them

  • suggest

    to offer an idea without demanding compliance

Grammar Patterns

dictate + that-clause

dictate + wh-clause

dictate to + person + wh-clause

dictate + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently used with ‘to’ before the person being ordered: ‘dictate to someone.’ This sense usually carries a negative connotation of unreasonable or excessive control.

Common Mistakes

My boss dictated me what to do.
My boss dictated to me what to do.
When the person receiving the order follows directly, you must use ‘to.’

2. to be the deciding factor that controls or determines how a situation develops,

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to be the deciding factor that controls or determines how a situation develops, what choices are possible, or what must happen next

Example

The weather will dictate whether we hold the wedding indoors or outdoors.

dictate whether + choice between two options

Customer demand often dictates which products a company decides to develop.

Common collocations
  • dictated by
  • dictate whether
  • dictate how
  • dictate that
Synonyms
  • determine

    more neutral; focuses on outcome rather than force

  • govern

    suggests a system of rules or principles controlling a process

  • necessitate

    stresses that something is made unavoidable

Grammar Patterns

dictate + that-clause

dictate + wh-clause

dictate + noun phrase

be dictated by + noun phrase

Usage Note

The subject is typically a rule, condition, external factor, or situation, not a person. Often appears in passive form: ‘it is dictated that…’ or ‘be dictated by [circumstances].’

Common Mistakes

The boss dictated that we must work late.’ (if meaning ‘caused’)
The deadline dictated that we had to work late.
For this sense, the subject should be a situation or rule, not a person giving orders.

3. to say words out loud so that another person can write them down or a machine ca

3.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to say words out loud so that another person can write them down or a machine can record them, especially in a professional or office setting

Example

The doctor dictated a letter to her assistant after examining the patient.

dictate + noun + to + person

Maeve finds it easier to dictate her notes into a voice recorder than to type them.

dictate + noun + into + device

Common collocations
  • dictate a letter
  • dictate notes
  • dictate to a secretary
  • dictate into a recorder
Synonyms
  • read out

    less formal; can be done without someone writing it down

  • recite

    implies performing from memory, not spontaneous speech

Antonyms
  • transcribe

    to write down what someone else has dictated

Grammar Patterns

dictate + noun phrase + to + person

dictate + noun phrase + into + device

dictate to + person

Usage Note

Common in office and professional contexts. The passive form ‘be dictated to’ (sense 3) means having someone read words for you to write down — do not confuse with ‘be dictated to’ from sense 1, which means being ordered around.

Common Mistakes

She dictated the letter the assistant.
She dictated the letter to the assistant.
The person or device receiving the dictation must be introduced with ‘to’ or ‘into.’
Phrasal verbs

dictate to

phrasal verb

To tell someone exactly what they must do, without considering their opinions.

My boss tried to dictate to me how to finish the project.

Parents should guide their children, not dictate to them.

dictate — noun

Word family

  • dictation
    nounB1
  • dictator
    nounB2
  • dictatorship
    nounB2
  • dictatorial
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve telling someone what to do, but they differ in tone and context. 'Order' is the most general: anyone with authority can order something, from a parent to a general. 'Command' is stronger and more military; a commander gives orders that must be obeyed instantly. 'Impose' does not involve speaking directly to someone; instead, it means putting a rule or condition in place that people have to accept, such as imposing a tax or a ban. 'Prescribe' is the most formal, typically used for rules set by an official body or for a doctor's instructions, as in 'the law prescribes a minimum sentence.' If you want to sound neutral, use 'order.' For a negative tone suggesting unreasonable control, 'dictate' is the best choice.

order ↗command ↗impose ↗prescribe ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Dictate comes from the Latin word 'dictare', which means 'to say again and again' or 'to keep saying.' 'Dictare' itself comes from 'dicere', meaning 'to say.' The sense of 'giving orders' developed because someone in authority would speak their commands aloud and expect them to be carried out. The word entered English in the late 1500s through French.