dictate
[ verb dik-teyt, dik-teyt; noun dik-teyt ]
/ verb ˈdɪk teɪt, dɪkˈteɪt; noun ˈdɪk teɪt /
Save This Word!
verb (used with object), dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.
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), dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing.
to say or read aloud something to be written down by a person or recorded by a machine.
to give orders.
noun
an authoritative order or command.
a guiding or governing principle, requirement, etc.: to follow the dictates of one's conscience.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Origin of dictate
1585–95; <Latin dictātus, past participle of dictāre to say repeatedly, prescribe, order, frequentative of dīcere to say
OTHER WORDS FROM dictate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use dictate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for dictate
dictate
verb (dɪkˈteɪt)
to say (messages, letters, speeches, etc) aloud for mechanical recording or verbatim transcription by another person
(tr) to prescribe (commands) authoritatively
(intr) to act in a tyrannical manner; seek to impose one's will on others
noun (ˈdɪkteɪt)
an authoritative command
a guiding principle or rulethe dictates of reason
Word Origin for dictate
C17: from Latin dictāre to say repeatedly, order, from dīcere to say
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012