dictate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to say or read (something) aloud for another person to transcribe or for a machine to record.
to dictate some letters to a secretary.
-
to prescribe or lay down authoritatively or peremptorily; command unconditionally.
to dictate peace terms to a conquered enemy.
verb (used without object)
-
to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
-
to give orders.
noun
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an authoritative order or command.
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a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc..
to follow the dictates of one's conscience.
- Synonyms:
- bidding
verb
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to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person
-
(tr) to prescribe (commands) authoritatively
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(intr) to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others
noun
-
an authoritative command
-
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
Etymology
Origin of dictate
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”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It has long been dictated by charismatic men such as Mr. Gordy, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Wonder.
She said their decision-making is “just as reckless as letting a group of amateur pilots dictate how our airplanes should fly.”
From Salon
Early fears that the fast-food colossus would be overly brand conscious and dictate content were allayed.
From Los Angeles Times
Oil has dictated broader market moves since the conflict began at the end of last month, with surging crude prices weighing heavily on stocks, and intermittent pullbacks enticing investors back into risk markets.
From Barron's
Kalra’s bill would ban private equity firms and hedge funds from dictating case strategy after giving money to a law firm.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
