# define

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈfaɪn/ · frequency rank #4,224

## Definitions
1. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
2. To settle, decide (an argument etc.)
3. To express the essential nature of something.
4. To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
5. To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.
6. To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
7. To establish the referent of a term or notation.

## Etymology
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”).

## Easily confused with
- **dine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-dine)
- **Devin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-devin)
- **device** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-device)
- **desire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-desire)
- **divine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-divine)
- **demise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-demise)
- **Denise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-denise)
- **derive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-derive)
- **devise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-devise)
- **Devine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-devine)
- **defuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-defuse)
- **defined** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-defined)
- **definite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/define-vs-definite)
- **Deane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deane-vs-define)
- **decide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decide-vs-define)
- **defend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defend-vs-define)
- **defile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defile-vs-define)
- **defense** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defense-vs-define)
- **defence** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defence-vs-define)
- **decline** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decline-vs-define)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ddefine`, `deffine`, `defien`, `definne`, `defnie`, `deifne`, `dfeine`, `edfine`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/define