Definition of dictate
dictated
;dictating
intransitive verb
1 : to utter words to be transcribed : to give dictation dictate for the stenographer
2 : to speak or act domineeringly : prescribe resents being dictated to
transitive verb
1 : to speak or read for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record dictating a letter to her secretary
2a : to issue as an orderb : to impose, pronounce, or specify authoritatively dictate the terms of surrender … the league will dictate policy for all teams … — Alex Yannisc : to require or determine necessarily injuries dictated the choice of players The weather will dictate how long we stay.
From the M-W Editors
Examples of dictate in a sentence
She's dictating a letter to her secretary.
They insisted on being able to dictate the terms of surrender.
Tradition dictates that the youngest member should go first.
The basket's function dictates its size and shape.
Origin and Etymology of dictate
Latin dictatus, past participle of dictare to assert, dictate, frequentative of dicere to say — more at diction
First Known Use: 1577
Definition of dictate
1a : an authoritative rule, prescription, or injunction the dictates of the partyb : a ruling principle according to the dictates of your conscience
2 : a command by one in authority papal dictates
Examples of dictate in a sentence
a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code
Origin and Etymology of dictate
see 1dictate
First Known Use: 1582
DICTATE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of dictate for English Language Learners
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: to speak or read (something) to a person who writes it down or to a machine that records it
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: to say or state (something) with authority or power
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: to make (something) necessary
Definition of dictate for English Language Learners
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: an order or direction given with authority
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: a rule or principle that guides something (such as an activity or a person's behavior)
DICTATE Defined for Kids
Definition of dictate for Students
dictated
;dictating
1 : to speak or read for someone else to write down or for a machine to record dictate a letter
2 : to say or state with authority : order You can't dictate what I can do.
3 : to make necessary Tradition dictates that we go first.
Word Root of dictate
The Latin word dicere, meaning “to say” or “to speak,” and its form dictus give us the root dict. Words from the Latin dicere have something to do with saying or speaking. To dictate is to say words that are to be written down by someone else. To contradict is to say the opposite of what someone else has said. To predict is to say what will happen before it does.
Learn More about dictate
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See words that rhyme with dictate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dictate Spanish Central: Translation of dictate Nglish: Translation of dictate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dictate for Arabic speakers
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