Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb define

5 senses of define

Sense 1
specify, define, delineate, delimit, delimitate -- (determine the essential quality of)
       => be -- (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer")

Sense 2
define -- (give a definition for the meaning of a word; "Define `sadness'")
       => specify, set, determine, define, fix, limit -- (decide upon or fix definitely; "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters")

Sense 3
define -- (determine the nature of; "What defines a good wine?")
       => characterize, characterise -- (be characteristic of; "What characterizes a Venetian painting?")

Sense 4
define, delineate -- (show the form or outline of; "The tree was clearly defined by the light"; "The camera could define the smallest object")
       => show -- (make visible or noticeable; "She showed her talent for cooking"; "Show me your etchings, please")

Sense 5
specify, set, determine, define, fix, limit -- (decide upon or fix definitely; "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters")
       => choose, take, select, pick out -- (pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives; "Take any one of these cards"; "Choose a good husband for your daughter"; "She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her")