Dictate Meaning
/ˈdɪkˌteɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn order or command.
verbTo order, command, control.
Sentence Examples
No one shall dictate to me.
I can't keep up with you. Could you dictate a bit slower?
We must not let emotions dictate our decisions during this crisis.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager will ____ the letter to her assistant for typing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
No one shall ____ to me.
Word Origin & History
First attested in 1581; borrowed from Latin dictātum (“a thing said, something dictated”), substantivized from the nominative neuter singular of dictātus, the perfect passive participle of dictō (“pronounce or declare repeatedly; dictate”), frequentative of dīcō (“say, speak”). Doublet of diktat.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Trademark Owners will nevertheless try to dictate how their marks are to be represented, but dictionary publishers with spine can resist such pressure."
— 2001, Sydney I. Landau, Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 409:
"He had offered, and been refused! There was that in her own nature, which sympathised with the pride, for such she held to be the motive, dictating the refusal."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Return to Courtenaye Hall”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 151:
"Geology dictates the approximate location of the tunnel."
— 1961 December, “The Channel Tunnel—a realistic proposal”, in Trains Illustrated, page 723:
"I didn't lay this bar, or the restaurant for that matter, out on paper. The design was dictated by the materials."
— 1977 August 20, David Holland, quoting Tony Bosco, “Tony Bosco”, in Gay Community News, volume 5, number 7, page 19:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The manager will ____ the letter to her assistant for typing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
No one shall ____ to me.