define

CEFRB1

/dɪˈfaɪn/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To explain exactly what a word or idea means.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To express the essential nature of something.

Examples

  • If I had to define life in a word, it would be: Life is creation.

  • The term ‘normal’ is difficult to define.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To settle, decide (an argument etc.)

  2. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.

  3. To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.

More examples

In context

  • Can you clearly define this word?

  • Your past mistakes do not define who you are.

  • the defining power of an optical instrument

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Scientists need to blank the parameters of the experiment clearly.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

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”).