dictate

[dik-teyt, dik-teyt, dik-teyt]

verb (used with object)

dictated, dictating 

1. to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record.

   to dictate some letters to a secretary.

2. to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally.

   to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.

verb (used without object)

dictated, dictating 

1. to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.

2. to give orders.

noun

1. an authoritative order or command.

2. a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc..

   to follow the dictates of one's conscience.

   Synonyms: bidding

dictate

verb

1. to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person

2. (tr) to prescribe (commands) authoritatively

3. (intr) to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others

noun

1. an authoritative command

2. a guiding principle or rule

   the dictates of reason

Other Word Forms

• dictatingly adverb
• misdictated adjective
• predictate verb (used with object)
• redictate verb
• undictated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin dictātus “said repeatedly,” past participle of dictāre “to say repeatedly, order, prescribe,” from dīcere “to say, speak, tell”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dictate¹

C17: from Latin dictāre to say repeatedly, order, from dīcere to say

Example Sentences

From his teenage years, he’s shown a preternatural feel for the game, a singular ability to dictate action and flow.

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Ackman has recently turned his megaphone to social issues, cementing his place among a brotocracy of the nation’s wealthiest men trying to dictate policy.

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Common wisdom dictated that the longer driver of a pair should tee off on the odd numbered holes because of how those in particular tended to favor power.

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On a show dictated by cue cards, he’s the rare cast member with some leeway to improvise.

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“The health of our democracy depends on the freedom to work with the federal government without having to follow the ideological dictates of those in power.”

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Related Words

• govern 
• guide 
• impose 
• lay down 
• prescribe