delineate

USAGE SUMMARY

'delineate' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you need a verb to mean "to outline clearly or describe precisely". For example: "The psychologist delineated the patient's mental illness in great detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Building on the "parameters" laid down by President Bill Clinton in 2000, along with various other convergent scenarios such as the Arab League's initiative of 2002 and the unofficial Geneva Accords of 2003, he could delineate the contours of an agreement.

The Economist

Baidu has announced plans to delineate more clearly between paid and unpaid links, and has removed links to unlicensed providers of drugs and medical care from its index.In the Japanese market, meanwhile, Google plays second fiddle to Yahoo! Japan, despite frantic efforts to catch up by launching more Japan-specific services.

The Economist

The oil and gas industry was also tapped for information.For the Atlantic alone, Canada submitted 732 co-ordinates for latitude and longitude to delineate a 1.2m sq km area where the continental shelf extends beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit that all countries can claim as their own.

The Economist

I am against hard quotas, quotas they basically delineate based upon whatever.

The Economist

However, they delineate, quotas, I think vulcanise society.

The Economist

The most pessimistic say it is already too late—"Iraq is de facto divided and this is a war to delineate the borders," says Mr Hikmet.

The Economist

In the first quarter oil firms drilled the same number of wells to delineate past discoveries as they had a year before, according to Deloitte, an accounting firm.

The Economist

This September, the city is likely to delineate an "area of student housing restraint" covering Headingley and parts of the neighbouring Kirkstall, Weetwood and University wards.

The Economist

Modern sonograms are so powerful that they can delineate tiny fingers and toes.

The Economist

Across time and space, food has always been used to delineate social distinctions, whether in Roman dining rooms or modern gourmet supermarkets.

The Economist

They define the extent of individual liberty and delineate the intrusive powers of the state.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delineate" when you want to emphasize the clarity and precision of a description or outline. For example, "The report clearly delineated the steps needed for project completion."

Common error

Avoid using "delineate" in very informal or casual writing. Simpler words like "describe" or "outline" may be more appropriate for everyday conversation or less formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "delineate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object to complete its meaning, indicating what is being outlined or described. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe boundaries, plans, and concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delineate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used transitive verb that means to outline clearly or describe precisely. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most common in formal contexts, particularly within science, news, and business domains. When using "delineate", ensure it's followed by a direct object and that the level of formality is appropriate for the writing context. If the context is informal, alternatives like "outline" or "describe" may be more suitable. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "delineate" into your writing to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outline

Focuses more on creating a sketch or a summary.

define

Emphasizes establishing a clear meaning or boundary.

describe

Broadly refers to giving an account of something, not necessarily with precision.

specify

Highlights providing detailed and exact information.

detail

Implies providing numerous specific facts or features.

demarcate

Specifically refers to setting boundaries or limits.

trace

Suggests following the course or outline of something.

portray

Focuses on representing something visually or through words.

elucidate

Implies making something clear and easy to understand.

circumscribe

Means to restrict or confine something within limits.

FAQs

How to use "delineate" in a sentence?

You can use "delineate" to describe the act of outlining something clearly or describing it precisely. For example, "The speaker delineated the company's new strategy." See more examples on Ludwig.

What can I say instead of "delineate"?

You can use alternatives like "outline", "define", or "describe" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "delineate on"?

While "delineate" can be followed by prepositions, it's more common to use it without one. For example, "delineate the problem" is generally preferred over "delineate on the problem".

What's the difference between "delineate" and "demarcate"?

"Delineate" refers to describing or outlining something clearly, while "demarcate" specifically means to set boundaries or limits. They are related but not perfectly interchangeable.