well defined

USAGE SUMMARY

"well defined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a clear and precise explanation or idea. For example, "The school's rules are well defined so that every student knows exactly what is expected of them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

This crucial term is not well defined.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You need to be sure, well defined.

The New York Times

Moreover, the genome is more well defined.

The New York Times

I like things to be clear, well defined.

The Guardian - Sport

For these reasons, the KPZ equation was not well defined.

The Guardian

And the exit strategy needs to be well defined.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Abdominal muscles well-defined.

The New York Times

Keep the mustache well-defined.

WikiHow

Well-defined goals were set.

BMC Medical Education

Corralling this chaos requires well-defined roles.

The New York Times

We had a great starting point: characters were well-defined with well-defined relationships".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well defined" to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings. When writing technical documents or instructions, clearly define terms and processes to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "well defined" in overly casual conversations or writing where simpler language would suffice. Overusing formal language can sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well defined" primarily functions as a compound adjective. It modifies a noun to indicate that something is clear, precise, and thoroughly explained or outlined. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well defined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used compound adjective that indicates clarity and precision. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its prevalence across science, news, and business contexts underscores its versatility. When writing, ensure to use "well defined" to ensure clarity in technical documents and instructions, but avoid overuse in overly casual writing where it can sound stilted. Related phrases like "clearly delineated" or "explicitly defined" can provide alternative nuances to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explicitly defined

Emphasizes that the definition is clearly and openly stated, leaving no room for ambiguity.

unambiguously specified

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in the specification, making it very clear and distinct.

clearly delineated

Uses a stronger verb, "delineated", implying a more precise and distinct boundary or definition.

sharply defined

Suggests a strong contrast or distinction, making the definition very clear and noticeable.

distinctly outlined

Highlights the clear and separate nature of the outline or framework.

precisely stated

Focuses on the exactness of the statement, rather than the overall clarity of the concept.

accurately described

Highlights the correctness and precision of the description.

well articulated

Shifts the focus to the clarity and effectiveness of the expression or explanation.

thoroughly explained

Emphasizes the completeness of the explanation, ensuring a full understanding.

comprehensively detailed

Focuses on the extensive and complete nature of the details provided.

FAQs

How can I use "well defined" in a sentence?

You can use "well defined" to describe something that is clearly and precisely explained or outlined. For example, "The objectives of the project were "well defined", making it easy to track progress."

What are some alternatives to "well defined"?

Alternatives to "well defined" include "clearly defined", "explicitly defined", or "precisely stated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "well defined" or "clearly defined"?

Both "well defined" and "clearly defined" are correct and often interchangeable. "Clearly defined" might be preferred when emphasizing the ease of understanding, while "well defined" can be used more broadly to indicate precision and completeness.

What does it mean when something is "not well defined"?

If something is "not well defined", it lacks clarity, precision, or sufficient detail. This can lead to confusion or ambiguity. For example, "The term 'sustainable development' is often "not well defined", leading to varying interpretations."