define

définir

Expliquer précisément le sens d’un mot, d’une expression ou d’un signe.

En anglais simple : To say exactly what a word, phrase, or sign means.

• Can you define this word?
• She defined each unfamiliar term for the class.
• The book defines courage as acting despite fear.

Comment l'utiliser : define something as something (The teacher defined a mammal as an animal that feeds its young with milk.)

Synonymes : explain

Expressions courantes : define a word, define a term, define as something

définir, préciser

Décrire quelque chose clairement et précisément pour faire comprendre ce qu’on veut dire.

En anglais simple : To describe something clearly and exactly so others understand what you mean.

• First, define your goals.
• The team defined the problem more clearly.
• How would you define a good life?

Comment l'utiliser : define what/how… (We need to define what success means for this project.)

Synonymes : specify, describe, clarify

Expressions courantes : define your goals, define the problem, define someone's role

délimiter, dessiner

Fixer ou montrer clairement la forme, les limites ou la position de quelque chose.

En anglais simple : To establish or show the exact shape, limits, or position of something.

• The fence defines our garden's boundary.
• Dark lines defined the edges of the drawing.
• This lens defines fine details clearly.

Synonymes : mark out, delineate

Contraires : blur

Expressions courantes : define the boundaries, define the shape, define the limits