how would you define

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how would you define" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to explain or clarify the meaning of a term or concept. Example: "In the context of our discussion, how would you define 'success'?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

How would you define your drawing style?

The New York Times - Magazine

How would you define "good manners"?

The New York Times

How would you define "summarizing"?

The New York Times

How would you define science?

The New York Times

How would you define design?

The Guardian - Tech

How would you define a good leader?

The New York Times - Magazine

How would you define your poetry?

The Guardian - Books

How would you define London style?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How would you define that term?

The New York Times - Magazine

How would you define social work?

The Guardian

How would you define New Left and Liberal?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how would you define", be specific about the context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the field or situation in which the definition applies.

Common error

Avoid asking "how would you define" without specifying the scope. A question like "how would you define success" can be too broad; instead, specify "how would you define success in this project?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how would you define" functions as an interrogative clause used to solicit a definition of a term or concept from the person being addressed. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts where this phrase is employed to seek clarification and understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how would you define" is a versatile interrogative phrase used to request a definition or interpretation of a term or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "what is your definition of" or "can you define". Overall, it's a reliable way to seek clarification, making it a valuable tool in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is your definition of

Changes the interrogative structure while maintaining the request for a definition.

can you define

Uses a direct question format to ask for a definition.

in your own words, define

Asks for a personalized definition.

how do you interpret

Focuses on interpretation rather than a strict definition.

what do you mean by

Seeks clarification of the intended meaning.

explain your understanding of

A more direct request for explaining one's understanding.

how might you characterize

Inquires about the characteristics and nature of something.

what's your understanding of

Explores the individual's comprehension of a topic.

what are your thoughts on

Broader inquiry about opinions and perspectives.

what does X entail

Focuses on what is necessarily involved or accompanied by X.

FAQs

How can I use "how would you define" in a sentence?

You can use "how would you define" to ask someone for their understanding of a concept. For example, "how would you define success in the context of personal finance?"

What is an alternative to saying "how would you define"?

Alternatives include phrases like "what is your definition of", "can you define", or "what do you mean by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to ask "how would you define" or "what is the definition of"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "how would you define" is often used to solicit a personal or contextual understanding, whereas "what is the definition of" seeks a more formal or standard definition.

What's the difference between "how would you define" and "how would you describe"?

"How would you define" seeks a precise meaning or essence, while "how would you describe" invites a broader explanation of characteristics and attributes.