Define vs. Determine — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
"Define" means to describe the nature or basic qualities, while "determine" means to decide or establish something conclusively.
Difference Between Define and Determine
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Define" is a verb that relates to setting clear and distinct boundaries or characteristics to a word, concept, or object. When someone seeks to define something, they aim to give it clarity and meaning. Conversely, "determine" refers to the act of making decisions or settling a matter after consideration.
In a dictionary setting, for instance, words are "defined" by providing their meanings, usages, and sometimes their origins. This gives readers clarity about how to use or understand a word. "Determine", in contrast, might be used in scenarios where decisions are being made based on evidence or reasoning, like in scientific experiments.
Another example could be in the realm of mathematics. A geometric shape might be "defined" by its number of sides, angles, and properties. However, when one seeks to "determine" the value of x in an equation, they're trying to figure out or establish that value conclusively.
In summary, "define" revolves around explaining, describing, or outlining, ensuring clarity in meaning. "Determine" is about making decisions, conclusions, or resolving uncertainties.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Description or explanation
Decision-making or conclusion
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Context
Dictionaries, clarifications, outlines
Decisions, research, conclusions
Action
Describing the essence or characteristics
Settling or concluding a matter
Outcome
Clarity or understanding
A decision or result
Nature
Explanatory
Resolutive
Compare with Definitions
Define
Mark out the boundary or limits of.
The river helps define the border of the two states.
Determine
Decide or establish something conclusively.
The jury will determine the defendant's fate.
Define
Specify distinctly.
The contract will define the responsibilities of each party.
Determine
Cause (something) to occur in a particular way.
Your attitude will determine your success.
Define
Characterize in detail.
Her kindness and generosity define her personality.
Determine
Fix the position of.
The stars can be used to determine one's location.
Define
State or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of
The contract will seek to define the client's obligations
Determine
Settle or decide in advance.
They determined to leave at dawn.
Define
Mark out the boundary or limits of
The river defines the park's boundary
Determine
Determine (April 7, 1951 – September 27, 1972), was an American Thoroughbred race horse. In a racing career which lasted from 1953 through 1955, the California-trained colt ran forty-four times and won eighteen races.
Define
To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
Determine
Cause (something) to occur in a particular way or to have a particular nature
It will be her mental attitude that determines her future
Define
To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain
Define the properties of a new drug.
A study that defines people according to their median incomes.
Determine
Ascertain or establish exactly by research or calculation
The point of our study was to determine what is true, not what is practicable
The inquest is entrusted with the task of determining the cause of death
Define
To make clear the outline or form of; delineate
Gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
Determine
Firmly decide
My wife had determined that I must swap my old bike for a car
She determined to tackle Stephen the next day
He determined on a withdrawal of his forces
Define
To specify distinctly
Define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
Determine
Bring or come to an end.
Define
To give form or meaning to
"For him, a life is defined by action" (Jay Parini).
Determine
To establish or ascertain definitely, as after consideration, investigation, or calculation
Determined the easiest way to reach the summit.
Define
To make or write a definition.
Determine
To give direction to by making decisions; devise or control
The school board determines educational policy.
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
The defining power of an optical instrument
Determine
To decide or settle (a dispute, for example) conclusively and authoritatively.
Define
(obsolete) To settle, decide an argument etc.
Determine
To cause (someone) to come to a decision or resolution
"It was the discovery ... of this very project of hers, which determined him to come forward at once, own it all to his uncle" (Jane Austen).
Define
To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
Your past mistakes do not define who you are.
Determine
To be the cause of; bring about a result regarding
The genes that determine eye color.
Define
To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.
Determine
(Mathematics) To fix or define the position, form, or configuration of.
Define
To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.
Person 1: Is she good at math?
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
Determine
(Logic) To explain or limit by adding differences.
Define
To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
To define the legal boundaries of a property
Determine
(Archaic) To put an end to legally; terminate under the law.
Define
(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.
Determine
To reach a decision; resolve
Determined to become a better pilot.
Determined on a course of treatment.
Define
(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.
Determine
(Archaic) To come to an end through legal means.
Define
To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
Determine
To set the boundaries or limits of.
Define
To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.
Define
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
Define
To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.
Define
To determine; to decide.
Determine
To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide.
The court has determined the cause.
Define
Give a definition for the meaning of a word;
Define `sadness'
Determine
To resolve (to do something); to establish a fixed intention; to cause (something) to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.
I determined to go home at once.
Define
Determine the essential quality of
Determine
(logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Define
Determine the nature of;
What defines a good wine?
Determine
To bring to an end; to finish.
Define
Delineate the form or outline of;
The tree was clearly defined by the light
The camera could define the smallest object
Determine
To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
[God] hath determined the times before appointed.
Define
Describe the nature or basic qualities of.
Can you define what love means to you?
Determine
To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish.
The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.
Now, where is he that will not stay so longTill his friend sickness hath determined me?
Define
Give the meaning of a word or phrase.
Dictionaries define words for readers.
Determine
To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.
Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life.
Determine
To fix the course of; to impel and direct; - with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course.
Determine
To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name.
Determine
To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause.
Determine
To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately.
Determine
To define or limit by adding a differentia.
Determine
To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water.
Determine
To come to an end; to end; to terminate.
He who has vented a pernicious doctrine or published an ill book must know that his life determine not together.
Estates may determine on future contingencies.
Determine
To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; - often with on.
He shall pay as the judges determine.
Determine
After a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study;
Find the product of two numbers
The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize
Determine
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
Determine
Fix conclusively or authoritatively;
Set the rules
Determine
Decide upon or fix definitely;
Fix the variables
Specify the parameters
Determine
Reach, make, or come to a decision about something;
We finally decided after lengthy deliberations
Determine
Fix in scope; fix the boundaries of; the tree determines the border of the property
Determine
Settle conclusively; come to terms;
We finally settled the argument
Determine
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
Determine
Ascertain or establish after calculation, research, or reasoning.
Scientists determine the age of fossils using various methods.
Common Curiosities
When is "determine" typically used?
"Determine" is used when making decisions or establishing facts after consideration.
Can "define" be used for abstract concepts?
Yes, abstract concepts like love or justice can be defined.
Can "define" relate to physical boundaries?
Yes, "define" can refer to marking out physical or conceptual boundaries.
How does a dictionary use "define"?
A dictionary uses "define" to give the meaning of words or phrases.
Is "determine" always about making a choice?
Not always; it can also mean to establish a fact or cause something to occur in a specific way.
How might "determine" be used in science?
In science, "determine" might refer to establishing facts through experiments or research.
Can "determine" be used passively?
Yes, like in "The winner was determined by the judges."
Are "define" and "determine" interchangeable?
No, "define" is about describing, while "determine" is about deciding.
Can "define" relate to personal identity?
Yes, one might say experiences or values "define" them.
Can "determine" be used regarding the future?
Yes, like when saying a choice today can "determine" future outcomes.
What's the antonym of "define"?
"Obscure" or "blur" can be antonyms of "define."
Is "determine" about influencing or concluding?
It can be both; "determine" can mean to influence a specific outcome or to conclude a matter.
How is "define" related to clarity?
"Define" aims to provide clarity or specific meaning to a subject.
Does "define" always need a clear-cut answer?
While "define" aims for clarity, some definitions can be open to interpretation.
What's an antonym for "determine"?
"Hesitate" or "waver" can be antonyms of "determine."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
