Meaning & use
defined
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“defined” is a form of “define”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Having clear edges, limits, or features that are easy to see or understand.
Grammar: Often used with an adverb: well defined, clearly defined.
Patterns
- well defined
- clearly defined
The job has clearly defined duties.
He has a well defined jawline and strong shoulders.
The scientists set a narrowly defined goal.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of define: stated exactly what a word or idea means, or marked the limits of something.
Grammar: Takes an object, or is used in the passive: the term is defined in the glossary.
Patterns
- defined as something
- defined by something
The teacher defined the word with a simple example.
The contract defined each side's responsibilities.
Success is defined differently by different people.
Common combinations
- clearly defined
- Each role should be clearly defined.
- well defined
- The photo has well defined edges.
- narrowly defined
- The study used a narrowly defined sample.
- legally defined
- Harassment is legally defined in the handbook.
- defined by
- Her style is defined by simple shapes.
- poorly defined
- The task was poorly defined, so people were confused.
Synonyms and how they differ
- distinct
- Distinct suggests something stands apart and is easy to tell from others, while defined stresses sharp edges or limits.
- specific
- Specific means precise and particular, but defined means the boundaries have been set.
- explained
- Explained covers giving reasons or detail, while defined gives the exact meaning.
- sharp
- Sharp describes clarity of outline in images, with less of the sense of agreed limits.
Opposites
Word family
- define verb
- to state the exact meaning of something
- definition noun
- a statement of meaning
- definite adjective
- clear and certain
- undefined adjective
- not clear or not given a meaning
- definitive adjective
- final and authoritative
Commonly confused: defined or refined?
defined vs refined
Refined means purified or elegant, while defined means clearly outlined.
Practice
The manager gave each team member a clearly ______ role.
Choose one answer.
Clearly defined is the natural collocation for roles with set limits. Definite and definitive are related but do not fit this combination.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “defined”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.