dictate
/dɪkˈteɪt/- 1.
To say words aloud so that another person can write them down. This is a common use in offices and formal settings.
- The manager dictated the report to her assistant.
- He dictated a letter and asked her to type it up.
- She dictated her notes into her phone on the way home.
- 2.
To give orders in a very controlling way, leaving no room for discussion. It can also mean that something forces a particular result or decision.
- You cannot dictate terms to your business partners.
- Market conditions often dictate the price of goods.
- No one has the right to dictate how you live your life.
An order, rule, or principle that must be obeyed. Usually used in the phrase 'the dictates of something'.
- She always acted on the dictates of her conscience.
- Citizens must follow the dictates of the law.
Adinary Nuance
Dictate implies total, one-sided control — the person receiving the order has little or no say. This makes it stronger and more negative in tone than instruct, which is neutral and professional (a teacher instructs students without implying force). Compared to order, which is direct and task-specific, dictate suggests a broader, ongoing pattern of dominance. Command is similar in force but belongs more naturally to military or formal authority settings — a general commands troops; a boss who dictates to staff sounds overbearing rather than legitimate. In academic and IELTS writing, "circumstances dictate" or "economics dictate" is a widely accepted neutral phrase meaning "determine or force," and using it correctly signals strong vocabulary range.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ra lệnh
- Spanish
- dictar
- Chinese
- 命令
- Japanese
- 命令する
- Korean
- 명령하다
Etymology
From Latin "dictare," meaning to say repeatedly or to dictate, a form of "dicere" (to say). The word entered English in the late 16th century, carrying the original sense of speaking words for someone to record.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'dictate' and 'instruct'?
- 'Instruct' is neutral and professional — it means to guide or teach someone. 'Dictate' is much stronger; it implies imposing your will with no room for pushback. A good manager instructs; a controlling boss dictates.
- Can 'dictate' be used in IELTS Academic writing?
- Yes, absolutely. The phrase 'circumstances dictate' or 'economic factors dictate' is widely used in academic writing to mean 'determine' or 'force a particular outcome.' It is a high-band vocabulary choice in IELTS Task 2 essays.
- Is 'dictate' formal or informal?
- 'Dictate' is formal to neutral in register. It fits academic essays, business contexts, and formal writing well. In casual speech, people more often say 'tell' or 'boss around' instead.
- Can 'dictate' be used as a noun?
- Yes, but mainly in the fixed phrase 'the dictates of something,' for example 'the dictates of the law' or 'the dictates of fashion.' The noun form is less common than the verb in everyday use.