define for me

USAGE SUMMARY

"define for me" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking someone to explain the meaning of a term or concept. Example: "Can you define for me what 'sustainability' means?" Alternative expressions include "explain to me" and "clarify for me."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Our ears define, for me, the nature of space".

The Guardian - Arts

I hope you can define for me how you can rebel on a free vote.

The Guardian

"Define for me an organization or group of people that effectively put themselves out of control".

The New York Times - Sports

L.G.: You know, Dick, I've been on many panels, no one will define for me what I said.

The New Yorker

This is why I do not look to leaders of Jewish organizations, or to the political leaders of Israel, many of whom are Jewishly illiterate, to define for me the meaning of Jewish identity or solidarity.

The New York Times

Not only did Hearst try to define for me our "age of big data", but she also discussed what Berkeley is doing to encourage and incubate big data entrepreneurs, particularly in the areas of healthcare and privacy.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It's been the defining moment of this campaign so far – and defining for me in an unhelpful way," he says.

The Guardian

That would be happiness defined for me.

The New York Times - Magazine

This interaction defined for me what songwriting is all about.

Independent

Somebody once defined for me the difference between a Cosmo girl and a Glamour girl.

The Guardian

America looked different to me: the idea of America as a place of infinite possibilities was defined for me through the movies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the beginning of a sentence to establish a direct, inquisitive tone during professional discussions or interviews.

Common error

Do not use "define to me" in place of "define for me". While the former is sometimes heard in speech, "for me" is the idiomatic standard for indicating that a definition is being provided for someone's benefit or from their perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "define for me" functions as a transitive verb followed by a prepositional phrase. It is typically used to initiate a request for information or to describe the process by which a concept was clarified. In many Ludwig examples, it appears in imperative sentences where the speaker is seeking an authoritative boundary for a term.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "define for me" is a versatile and correct tool for anyone looking to sharpen their communication. It is most effective when you need a speaker to move beyond vague generalities and provide a clear meaning of a term from their own perspective. While it appears most frequently in high-level journalism and scientific discourse, its use in professional settings can demonstrate a commitment to precision. By choosing "define for me" over simpler alternatives, you are specifically requesting the boundaries of a concept, making it an essential phrase for interviews, debates and analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain to me

Focuses more on the process of making something understandable rather than just providing a formal definition.

clarify for me

Implies that some understanding exists but requires more precision or detail.

describe to me

Requests a sensory or detailed account rather than a conceptual definition.

outline for me

Suggests a request for a structured or summarized explanation of a concept.

specify for me

Asks for exact details or a narrow identification within a broader category.

interpret for me

Suggests that the meaning is subjective or requires expert analysis.

illustrate for me

Requests examples or metaphors to help visualize the meaning.

detail for me

Emphasizes the need for an exhaustive or comprehensive breakdown.

characterize for me

Asks for the distinguishing qualities or features of a concept.

elucidate for me

A more formal and academic way to ask for a concept to be made clear.

FAQs

How do I use "define for me" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct request, such as "Can you "define for me" exactly what you mean by success?" or as part of a longer statement like "The internet helped "define for me" the symptoms I was feeling".

What can I say instead of "define for me"?

You can use alternatives like "explain to me", "clarify for me" or "interpret for me" depending on whether you want a formal definition or a subjective explanation.

What is the difference between "define for me" and "explain to me"?

While "explain to me" is broader and covers how something works, "define for me" specifically asks for the meaning or boundaries of a term or concept.

Which is correct, "define for me" or "define to me"?

The standard idiomatic expression is "define for me". Using "define to me" is generally considered less natural in English writing.