How Do You Spell DEFINE?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈa͡ɪn] (IPA)

The word "define" has two syllables that are pronounced as /dɪˈfaɪn/. The first syllable starts with the consonant sound /d/ followed by the vowel sound /ɪ/. The second syllable starts with the consonant sound /f/ followed by the diphthong sound /aɪ/ and ends with the nasal consonant sound /n/. The spelling of "define" adheres to English phonetic rules where the letter combination "fi" represents the sound /faɪ/ and the letter "e" at the end signifies a silent final syllable.

DEFINE Meaning and Definition

  1. The verb "define" refers to the act of explaining or giving meaning to a word, concept, or idea. It involves providing a clear and concise description or definition to help understand or identify the nature, essence, or characteristics associated with a particular subject. "Define" commonly requests the establishment of the essential qualities, boundaries, or limits linked to a term, ensuring its comprehension and proper usage.

    To define implies discernment, evaluation, and interpretation of a word's significance. It often involves providing a formal and agreed-upon explanation, which can be found in a dictionary or authoritative source. Definitions can be descriptive, providing a detailed account of the subject's attributes, or prescriptive, establishing what the subject should be or how it should be understood. Depending on the context, definitions can be subjective or objective, incorporating either personal opinions or aligning with commonly accepted understandings.

    The process of defining can involve various tools, such as etymology studies, analyzing root words or origins, and evaluating usage examples. Definitions may change or evolve over time as languages develop and terminologies adapt. Through defining, a word or concept gains clarity, allowing individuals to communicate effectively by understanding its meaning within a specific context.

  2. To ascertain or fix the limits; to explain the exact meaning of a word or term; to explain the distinctive properties, &c., of a thing.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEFINE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEFINE

Etymology of DEFINE

The word "define" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "definire", which means "to set bounds to, determine, or specify". This Latin word is a combination of two elements: "de-" meaning "from, away", and "finire" meaning "to limit or end". Over time, the word "define" has retained a similar meaning in English, referring to the act of providing a precise explanation or boundary to something.

Idioms with the word DEFINE

  • define sth as sth The idiom "define something as something" means to describe or explain something by stating its qualities, characteristics, or features that make it belong to a particular category or be considered a certain thing. It is a way of providing a clear definition or understanding of something, often based on specific criteria or conditions.
  • define (something) as (something) The idiom "define (something) as (something)" means to provide a specific interpretation or explanation for a particular concept, object, or term, typically in a distinct and definitive manner. It implies establishing a clear and precise definition or understanding of the given subject.

Similar spelling words for DEFINE

Conjugate verb Define

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have defined
you would have defined
he/she/it would have defined
we would have defined
they would have defined
I would have define
you would have define
he/she/it would have define
we would have define
they would have define

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been defining
you would have been defining
he/she/it would have been defining
we would have been defining
they would have been defining

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would define
you would define
he/she/it would define
we would define
they would define

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be defining
you would be defining
he/she/it would be defining
we would be defining
they would be defining

FUTURE

I will define
you will define
he/she/it will define
we will define
they will define

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be defining
you will be defining
he/she/it will be defining
we will be defining
they will be defining

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have defined
you will have defined
he/she/it will have defined
we will have defined
they will have defined

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been defining
you will have been defining
he/she/it will have been defining
we will have been defining
they will have been defining

IMPERATIVE

you define
we let´s define

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to define

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was defining
you were defining
he/she/it was defining
we were defining
they were defining

PAST PARTICIPLE

defined

PAST PERFECT

I had defined
you had defined
he/she/it had defined
we had defined
they had defined

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been defining
you had been defining
he/she/it had been defining
we had been defining
they had been defining

PRESENT

I define
you define
he/she/it defines
we define
they define

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am defining
you are defining
he/she/it is defining
we are defining
they are defining

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

defining

PRESENT PERFECT

I have defined
you have defined
he/she/it has defined
we have defined
they have defined

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been defining
you have been defining
he/she/it has been defining
we have been defining
they have been defining

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it define

SIMPLE PAST

I defined
you defined
he/she/it defined
we defined
they defined

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: