dictate

1 of 2

verb

dic·​tate ˈdik-ˌtāt  dik-ˈtāt 

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

2

a

: to issue as an order

b

: to impose, pronounce, or specify authoritatively

dictate the terms of surrender

… the league will dictate policy for all teams …

—Alex Yannis

c

: to require or determine necessarily

injuries dictated the choice of players

The weather will dictate how long we stay.

dictate

2 of 2

noun

dic·​tate ˈdik-ˌtāt 

1

a

: an authoritative rule, prescription, or injunction

the dictates of the party

b

: a ruling principle

according to the dictates of your conscience

2

: a command by one in authority

papal dictates

Synonyms

Verb

• order
• request
• ask
• require

Noun

• order
• instruction
• do
• edict
• direction
• directive

Examples of dictate in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

a starchily worded dictate from on high concerning the company's dress code

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Although premium large-format screenings in Imax, 4DX, and D-Box are expected to drive substantial business this weekend, industry analysts and insiders say F1’s ultimate value proposition will likely be dictated by something other than its theatrical bottom line. —Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 June 2025

Progress dictates that the experts, and those who listen to them, win the day. —Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025

Noun

Typically, New York looks at a rehab in smaller increments, leaving room for improvisation as the player’s health dictates. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 14 June 2025

Of course, as the trope dictates, last-minute disasters give way to an unequivocally triumphant opening night. —Judy Berman, Time, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre "to say repeatedly, speak aloud words to be transcribed by another, issue as an order," frequentative of dīcere "to talk, speak, say, utter" — more at diction

Note: See note at dictator.

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin dictātum "something commanded" (Latin, in plural dictāta "lessons to be transcribed"), noun derivative from neuter of Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre "to say repeatedly, say aloud words to be transcribed by another, issue as an order" — more at dictate entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1577, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dictate

• dictate to

Rhymes for dictate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

dictate

1 of 2 verb

dic·​tate ˈdik-ˌtāt  dik-ˈtāt 

dictated; dictating

1

: to speak or read for a person to write down or for a machine to record

dictate a letter to a secretary

2

: to say or state with authority or power : give orders

dictate terms of surrender

few people enjoy being dictated to

dictate

2 of 2 noun

ˈdik-ˌtāt

: an order or direction given with authority : command

the dictates of conscience

Etymology

Verb

from Latin dictatus, past participle of dictare "to assert, dictate," from dicere "to say" — related to dictionary, predict, verdict