defined to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defined to me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to explain or clarify a term or concept specifically for your understanding. Example: "The term 'synergy' was defined to me during the meeting, and it helped me grasp the concept better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

International development aid was once defined to me as money given by poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

It wasn't, for a time, clearly defined to me, which was a bit tough: I wanted to do it, but wasn't sure I could bring much to the character other than my own reaction to him.

The Guardian - Film

As he wrote to his close friend Donald Hall, "Whatever a poet has been in the past, right now he is defined, to me, as a man who has both the power and the courage to see, and then, to show, the truth through words.

The New Yorker

It is true that the internet has enabled disruption (it's that physics of business again) and by being disruptive – which Balderton's Dharmash Mistry once eloquenty defined to me as 'changing the rules of competitive advantage in your sector' – can make you a truly potent force for sluggish incumbents to deal with.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Someone once defined sillage to me, rather metaphysically, as the sense of a person being present in the room after she has left.

The New Yorker

He defined this to me as "the blessing of growth".

Huffington Post

"I didn't think that [a darker skin tone] that defined 'blackness' to me.

Huffington Post

"Are they yours?" "Where are their parents?" "Are you their nanny?" "What are they?" My answers to these questions define me to my children.

Huffington Post

'Much as I enjoy everything I do, it doesn't define me to a point where I need to do it to make myself better.

The Guardian - Music

"Their goal is to define me and make me unacceptable," he said.

The New York Times

America wanted to define me by putting me into some box.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defined to me", ensure the context provides clarity on who provided the definition and in what context. This adds credibility and relevance to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "defined to me" if you are unsure about the original source or the accuracy of the definition. In such cases, it's better to use phrases like "as I understand it" or "in my understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defined to me" functions as a reporting clause, indicating that the speaker received a specific definition from someone. It is used to attribute a particular understanding or interpretation of a concept or term, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defined to me" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. It serves to indicate that a specific definition has been provided to the speaker, most commonly found within News & Media contexts. While simple, using this phrase is an appropriate method to give a personal point of view, as also showed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Explained to me

Focuses on the act of explaining, highlighting the clarification received.

Clarified for me

Emphasizes the removal of confusion and making something clear for the speaker.

Described to me

Highlights the act of giving a detailed account or representation.

Interpreted for me

Focuses on understanding the meaning or significance of something, especially in a subjective way.

Outlined to me

Highlights a structured or summarized explanation.

Designated to me

Highlights something that was indicated or pointed to the speaker

Indicated to me

Focuses on a hint or a suggestion.

Characterized to me

Highlights the description of a person, a thing or an idea with particular qualities

Detailed to me

Indicates something was described in full detail

Spelled out for me

Suggests that something was explained very simply and directly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

FAQs

How can I use "defined to me" in a sentence?

You can use "defined to me" when you want to indicate that a specific explanation or understanding was given to you personally. For example: "International development aid was once "defined to me" as money given by poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor ones."

What are some alternatives to "defined to me"?

Alternatives include phrases like "explained to me", "clarified for me", or "described to me", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who "defined" something to me?

While not always necessary, specifying the source adds credibility and context, especially in formal writing. However, in informal contexts, it may be sufficient to simply state your understanding.

What's the difference between "defined to me" and "as I understand it"?

"Defined to me" implies a specific instance of receiving a definition from someone, while "as I understand it" indicates your current comprehension, which may be based on various sources and interpretations.