dictate

CEFRC1

/ˈdɪkˌteɪt/

verb · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To say words aloud for someone else to write.

  2. 02

    verb

    To control what must happen or be done.

Examples

  • I can't keep up with you. Could you dictate a bit slower?

  • We must not let emotions dictate our decisions during this crisis.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
4

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To order, command, control.

  2. To speak in order for someone to write down the words.

noun

Extra meaning

  1. An order or command.

More examples

In context

  • No one shall dictate to me.

  • Etiquette dictates that wedding invitations should be acknowledged in writing.

  • I must obey the dictates of my conscience.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The manager will blank the letter to her assistant for typing.

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

Nearby

Origin

verb

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.