define something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "define something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to explain the meaning of a term or concept. For example, "Please define something that is often misunderstood." Alternative expressions include "explain something" and "clarify something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

They struggle, instead, to define something else.

The New York Times - Arts

They are pieces that define something fundamental about his music.

The Guardian - Music

In structural engineering, the word "complex" is often employed to define something that is difficult to understand or to solve.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

But it's important to define that, and define something that's a thermometer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you define something as unlawful, you are going to police it in the wrong way.

The Guardian

New CEO Marissa Mayer will have to define something Yahoo can excel at.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

They'll re-define something that looks something like proprietary trading, and then continue to do what they're doing.

Yale University

It's almost a contrived, corporate way of defining something that really should come quite naturally".

The Guardian

Defining something as a global health topic doesn't make it universal.

The Guardian

Well, defining something being a Fleetwood Mac song is calling it a Fleetwood Mac song, you know?

The Guardian - Music

Typically, he became obsessed with defining something abstract—What is justice?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "define something", ensure the definition is clear, concise, and appropriate for your audience. Avoid jargon or overly technical language unless your audience is familiar with it.

Common error

Don't define a term by using the term itself or a closely related word. This creates a circular definition that doesn't provide any real understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "define something" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It's used to express the action of providing a definition for a particular concept, term, or idea. As Ludwig AI also indicates, it is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "define something" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to request or describe the act of providing a definition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable for use in written English. Its primary function is to clarify understanding, and it appears frequently in neutral contexts such as news and media, as well as more formal academic and scientific settings. While alternative phrases like "explain something" or "clarify something" can be used, "define something" offers a direct way to request a precise meaning. When using the phrase, ensure your definition is clear, concise, and avoids circular reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain something

Offers a general alternative, suitable when the goal is simply to make something understandable.

clarify something

Focuses on making something easier to understand by removing ambiguity.

specify something

Emphasizes making something definite and explicit, often in a technical or formal context.

determine something

Implies establishing something definitively, often after investigation or consideration.

elucidate something

Suggests making something clear by providing detailed explanation.

identify something

Highlights the act of recognizing or pointing out something specific.

characterize something

Focuses on describing the distinctive features or qualities of something.

interpret something

Involves explaining the meaning of something, often based on a particular perspective.

delineate something

Implies marking out the boundaries or limits of something clearly and precisely.

conceptualize something

Focuses on forming a mental idea or concept of something.

FAQs

How can I use "define something" in a sentence?

You can use "define something" when you want to explain the meaning or nature of a concept or term. For example, "Before we proceed, let's "define something" as fundamental as 'democracy'".

What can I say instead of "define something"?

You can use alternatives like "explain something", "clarify something", or "specify something" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "define something" or "defining something"?

"Define something" is an imperative form, used to request a definition. "Defining something" is a gerund phrase, used when the act of defining is the subject or object of a sentence. For example, "Defining something ambiguous can be challenging".

What's the difference between "define something" and "describe something"?

"Define something" aims to provide a precise meaning, while "describe something" aims to give a detailed account of its characteristics or qualities. You "define something" to establish its meaning and "describe something" to paint a picture of it.