1. to state or describe the exact meaning of a word or phrase
陳述或描述一個詞或片語的確切含義
Can you define the word 'altruism' for me?
你能為我定義一下「利他主義」這個詞嗎？
The dictionary defines 'run' in several different ways.
字典以幾種不同的方式定義「跑」這個字。
Define Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
define
verb
快速理解
What does "Define" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Define"?
「define」主要表示解釋詞語的含義，或明確界定事物的本質與範圍。
- 1
解釋詞義
EN: to explain the meaning of a word or phrase
翻譯: 解釋一個詞或片語的意義。
- 2
界定本質
EN: to describe the basic qualities or nature of something
翻譯: 描述某事物的基本特質或本質。
- 3
劃定範圍
EN: to show the limits or outline of something clearly
翻譯: 清楚地顯示某事物的界限或輪廓。
- 4
確立特徵
EN: to be the feature that makes something distinctive or successful
翻譯: 成為使某事物與眾不同或成功的關鍵特徵。
小提醒：注意「define」的受詞可以是具體的「詞語」，也可以是抽象的「概念、關係、時代」等。例如「define a boundary」（劃定界線）、「define an era」（界定一個時代）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Define" in English）
How to pronounce "Define" in English?"Define" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Define" from YouTube Videos
Amos Winter: The cheap all-terrain wheelchair
TED
“These are the people that define the requirements of the technology and these are the people that have to give the thumbs-up at the end and say "Yeah, it actually works, It meets our needs".”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Define"?How does "Define" change by context?
2. to explain or describe the nature, scope, or meaning of something
解釋或描述某事物的本質、範圍或意義
The treaty clearly defines the borders between the two countries.
該條約明確界定了兩國之間的邊界。
Her role in the project has not been clearly defined yet.
她在這個專案中的角色尚未被明確界定。
3. to make clear the outline or form of something
使某事物的輪廓或形狀清晰
The mountain was sharply defined against the evening sky.
那座山在夜空下輪廓分明。
Regular exercise helped define his muscles.
規律的運動幫助塑造了他的肌肉線條。
4. to be the essential quality or characteristic that distinguishes something
成為區分某事物的本質品質或特徵
Hard work and dedication define her approach to every task.
努力工作和奉獻精神定義了她對每項任務的態度。
It's the community spirit that truly defines this neighborhood.
真正定義這個社區的是它的團體精神。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Define"?How to make natural sentences with "Define"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| define + noun | 解釋、定義某事物 | Scientists are trying to define the boundaries of this new species. (科學家正試圖定義這個新物種的邊界。) |
| define + noun + as + noun/adj | 將某事物定義為… | The treaty defines this area as a demilitarized zone. (該條約將此區域定義為非軍事區。) |
| define + wh-clause (what/who/how) | 明確說明、界定… | The rules clearly define what is considered acceptable behavior. (規則明確界定了何為可接受的行為。) |
| be defined by + noun | 以…為特徵、由…界定 | An era is often defined by its technological advancements. (一個時代通常由其科技進步來界定。) |
| define + oneself | 確立自我身份、定義自己 | She refused to let her job define her as a person. (她拒絕讓她的工作來定義她這個人。) |
| define + the terms | 闡明術語、界定條件 | Before we debate, we need to define the terms we are using. (在我們辯論之前，需要先闡明我們使用的術語。) |
用法說明
How is "Define" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Define"?
define as vs define to be
- 動詞 define 最常見的結構是 define something as something，用於給出一個詞語、概念或事物的正式定義或解釋。
- 在較正式的語境或學術寫作中，有時會使用 define something to be something，其含義與 define as 相同，但語氣更為精確或數學化。
- 在日常口語或一般寫作中，define as 是絕對主流且自然的選擇，應優先使用。
- 注意：define 後面極少直接接不定詞 to do 來表示「定義」的動作，此為常見錯誤。 EN: Dictionaries define "altruism" as selfless concern for others. 翻譯: 字典將「利他主義」定義為對他人無私的關懷。
EN:In geometry, we define a circle to be a set of points equidistant from a center.
翻譯:在幾何學中，我們將圓定義為與中心點等距的一組點的集合。
總結建議
在絕大多數情況下，請使用 define ... as ... 的結構，僅在非常正式的數學或邏輯定義中可考慮使用 define ... to be ...。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Define" and similar words?How to choose "Define" vs alternatives?
define vs describe
「define」強調給出精確的定義或界限，而「describe」側重於用語言描繪特徵或過程。
define vs explain
「define」是界定核心含義，而「explain」是闡明原因、過程或使事物更容易理解。
define vs identify
「define」是闡釋概念內涵，而「identify」是辨認出具體的人、物或事實。
口語用法
How is "Define" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Define"?
引述
在對話中，當引述或轉述他人對某事物的定義時，常用「define」來開啟話題。 EN: So, how would you define success in your career? 翻譯: 那麼，你會如何定義你職業生涯中的成功？
EN:He kept asking me to define what I meant by 'a good time'.
翻譯:他一直要我定義我所說的「玩得開心」是什麼意思。
語氣強調
用於強調對某個概念或詞彙需要明確的解釋，常帶有挑戰或釐清的語氣。 EN: Wait, you need to define your terms before we continue this debate. 翻譯: 等等，在我們繼續這場辯論之前，你需要先定義你的用詞。
EN:That's not fair! You never defined the rules clearly.
翻譯:那不公平！你從來沒有清楚地定義規則。
停頓填充
在思考如何解釋或組織想法時，會用「define」作為暫時的停頓填充詞，後面再接上具體內容。 EN: Our company culture is... how should I define it... very collaborative and open. 翻譯: 我們的公司文化是...我該怎麼定義它...是非常協作和開放的。
EN:The feeling was—define 'surreal'—like a dream you can't wake up from.
翻譯:那種感覺是——定義一下「超現實」——就像一場你無法醒來的夢。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式文件中，應避免將「define」用作停頓填充詞。應直接、精確地給出定義，並確保前後文邏輯連貫，不使用口語中猶豫或思考的表述方式。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Define"?What fixed phrases with "Define" should I remember?
define as
define something as something
將…定義為…
define clearly
define something clearly
清楚地定義
define boundaries
define boundaries / limits
界定界線/範圍
define terms
define terms
定義術語
define the relationship
define the relationship
界定關係
define by
be defined by something
以…為特徵；由…定義
define oneself
define oneself / define who you are
定義自我
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Define"?Which "Define" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×Can you define me what this word means?
✓Can you define this word for me?
「define」是及物動詞，後面直接接要定義的對象（名詞或名詞片語），不接人稱代名詞作為直接賓語。正確用法是「define something for someone」。
×He defined about the concept in detail.
✓He defined the concept in detail.
「define」是及物動詞，不需要介系詞「about」。直接說「define + 要定義的事物」即可。
×This term is defined as to describe the process.
✓This term is defined as describing the process.
在被動語態「is defined as」後面，通常接名詞、名詞片語或動名詞（-ing形式），而不是不定詞（to + 動詞）。
×We need to define clear the objectives.
✓We need to define the objectives clearly.
修飾動詞「define」應該使用副詞（clearly），而不是形容詞（clear）。形容詞通常用來修飾名詞。
×The rules define that everyone must participate.
✓The rules define how everyone must participate.
「define」後面通常不直接接「that」子句。它更常接「wh-」子句（如 how, what, who）或「as」片語來具體說明定義的內容。
×His leadership defines from his team's success.
✓His leadership is defined by his team's success.
表達「由...所定義/體現」時，應使用被動語態「is defined by」，而不是主動語態「defines from」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Define"?What are tense/participle forms of "Define"?
defines(3rd_singular)defining(present_participle)defined(past)defined(past_participle)