Dictate
/ˈdɪkteɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo read or speak something aloud to be written down or recorded; to state or order something with authority.
/ˈdɪkteɪt/
To say or read aloud something for another person to write down or type.
She dictated a list of instructions to her assistant.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're a boss giving instructions really clearly, so someone can write them down exactly. Like, "Type this letter!" or, like a judge, declaring how a case should go.
👶 For kids: To tell someone what to write down.
More Examples
The lawyer dictated the terms of the contract.
The injured athlete dictated a message to his fans.
He dictated his memoirs to a transcriber.
How It's Used
"The executive dictated a letter to his secretary."
"The judge dictated the terms of the settlement."
To impose (a rule, law, etc.) or state authoritatively.
/ˈdɪkteɪt/
To state or order something with authority.
The government dictated new regulations for the industry.
💡 Simply: Imagine being the boss who gets to set the rules or make decisions for everyone else. Like, "We're going to do it my way!"
👶 For kids: To tell people what to do.
More Examples
The manager dictated the terms of the new policy.
The weather dictated whether we could have a picnic.
The situation dictated our response.
How It's Used
"The victorious army dictated the peace terms to the defeated nation."
"He always tries to dictate what his children should do."
To determine or control; to strongly influence.
/ˈdɪkteɪt/
To determine or control something.
The market dictated the price of the product.
💡 Simply: Imagine the conditions of a situation controlling the result. Like, what the weather is like can determine if you are having a picnic or not.
👶 For kids: To make something happen or decide how it will be.
More Examples
His schedule dictated his availability.
The company's financial situation dictated the layoffs.
The rules of the game dictated how it was played.
How It's Used
"Circumstances dictated their decision."
"Market forces dictated their pricing strategy."
Idioms & expressions
dictate terms
To impose or set the conditions or requirements.
"The winning team dictated the terms of the agreement."
dictate to someone
To tell someone what to do or how to behave in a controlling way.
"He always tries to dictate to his employees."
From Latin *dictāre* ('to say often, compose, dictate'), a frequentative form of *dicere* ('to say, tell').
In historical texts, 'dictate' was often used in legal and religious contexts to denote authoritative pronouncements.
Memory tip
Imagine a boss yelling orders while someone writes them down.
Word Origin
"to say often, compose, dictate"