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define

intermediateB1

/dɪˈfaɪn/ · de-fine

To state the meaning of a word or phrase; to explain the nature or scope of something.

Meanings

verbformal

To state the meaning of a word or phrase; to explain the nature or scope of something.

کسی لفظ یا جملے کے معنی بیان کرنا؛ کسی چیز کی نوعیت یا دائرہ کار کی وضاحت کرنا۔

تعریف کرنا

ta'reef karna

Formal: مفہوم وضاحت کرنا

Synonyms

explaininterpretclarifyوضاحت کرناتشریح کرنابیان کرنا

Antonyms

confusemisinterpretobscureگڑبڑ کرناغلط تشریح کرناچھپانا

Common Collocations

  • define a term
  • define a concept
  • define boundaries

Example Sentences

The teacher asked the students to define the term 'ecology'.

اساتذہ نے طلباء سے 'حیاتیاتی' کا مطلب بیان کرنے کو کہا۔

Aasatza ne talaba se 'hayatiyati' ka matlab bayan karne ko kaha.

It's important to define the boundaries of your research.

اپنی تحقیق کی حدود کو واضح کرنا ضروری ہے۔

Apni tahqiqat ki hudood ko wazeh karna zaroori hai.

In philosophy, it can be difficult to define consciousness.

فلسفہ میں، شعور کو واضح کرنا مشکل ہو سکتا ہے۔

Falsafah mein, shaoor ko wazeh karna mushkil ho sakta hai.

Easily Confused With

defend:To define is to state the meaning, while to defend is to protect or argue in favor of something.

Word Family

definition
nounتعریف
definable
adjectiveتعریف کرنے کے قابل
definitive
adjectiveقطعی

See Also

💡 Memory Tip

Define has 'fin' in it, like finite, which is about limits.

Imagine a dictionary defining words clearly.

📖 Etymology

Origin: Latin "definire" — to limit, set bounds to

First known use: 15th century

The word 'define' comes from the Latin 'definire', which is a combination of 'de-' (down, away) and 'finire' (to limit). It has evolved in English usage to refer broadly to the act of stating the meaning or nature of something.