Dictate
verb
To say or read something for someone to write down.
The teacher dictated the answers to the class.
Often appears as...
- dictate a letter
- dictate a response
verb
To tell someone exactly what they must do.
You can't dictate to me what I should do with my life.
Often appears as...
- dictate terms
- dictate conditions
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To control or influence something.
The weather often dictates our holiday plans.
Often appears as...
- dictate the pace
- dictate the outcome
verb
To say or read something for someone to write down.
The teacher dictated the answers to the class.
Often appears as...
- dictate a letter
- dictate a response
verb
To tell someone exactly what they must do.
You can't dictate to me what I should do with my life.
Often appears as...
- dictate terms
- dictate conditions
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To control or influence something.
The weather often dictates our holiday plans.
Often appears as...
- dictate the pace
- dictate the outcome
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Speaking Context
Used when someone is speaking and another is writing what's said, often in a formal setting.
The author dictated her novel to the assistant.
Pro Tip 2/2Attention to Detail
The person dictating expects their words to be written verbatim.
She carefully dictated her will to the lawyer.
Pro Tip 1/2Speaking Context
Used when someone is speaking and another is writing what's said, often in a formal setting.
The author dictated her novel to the assistant.
Pro Tip 2/2Attention to Detail
The person dictating expects their words to be written verbatim.
She carefully dictated her will to the lawyer.
Pro Tip 1/2Speaking Context
Used when someone is speaking and another is writing what's said, often in a formal setting.
The author dictated her novel to the assistant.
Pro Tip 2/2Attention to Detail
The person dictating expects their words to be written verbatim.
She carefully dictated her will to the lawyer.
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Video examples
Your elusive creative...
and we had this big idea, and the big idea was, let's put the individual human being at the center of the universe above all gods and mysteries, and there's no more room for mystical creatures who take dictation from the divine. And it's the beginning of rational humanism, and people started to believe that creativity came completely from the self of the individual.
Video examples
TED2014 in review PIPE...
you know how I've struggled with weight issues my whole isobe you hustle everyone in our family turns out our bodies are filled with these microbes they totally have a huge say maybe dictate how would you weigh there in your gut during your vagina there in your mouth and apparently having
Video examples
Get comfortable with...
of keeping us from doing and saying the things that are our purpose. And I was like, "You know what? I'm not going to let fear rule my life. I'm not going to let fear dictate what I do." And then all of these awesome things started happening, and dominoes started to fall.
Video examples
Best Monkey Moments PIPE...
monkey etiquette dictates nobody attacks anyone holding a baby so they're like living flat jackets the mothers are worried and quickly scoop up the youngest here the two males face each other the family man backs towards one of his more loyal wives calling for support
Video examples
What "Orwellian" really...
a hypnotic state of cognitive dissonance in which one is compelled to disregard their own perception in place of the officially dictated version of events, leaving the individual completely dependent on the State's definition of reality itself. The result is a world
Video examples
What I learned from 100...
but one thing for I've got to be a better leader. I've got to be a better person. I cannot let that six-year-old keep dictating my life anymore. I have to put him back in his place. So this is where I went online and looked for help. Google was my friend.
Video examples
What does my headscarf...
The fact is, we all have biases against what's different, what's different to our social norms. The thing is, if we want to live in a world where the circumstances of your birth do not dictate your future and where equal opportunity is ubiquitous,
Video examples
Living Off the Land in...
But we don't get to dictate. Sometimes nature's like, uh-uh. Not today. And so when you live in this type of lifestyle, and you're actually living off of the land and the ocean, you are living by what nature gives you. Connecting over conquering.
Video examples
Why domestic violence...
If you had told me that this smart, funny, sensitive man who adored me would one day dictate whether or not I wore makeup, how short my skirts were, where I lived, what jobs I took,
Video examples
Nature's Oddest Looking...
the trees are run away winners they not only dictate the bodies and lifestyles of these monkeys but ensure that the density of mammals is kept low in the
Video examples
Your elusive creative...
and we had this big idea, and the big idea was, let's put the individual human being at the center of the universe above all gods and mysteries, and there's no more room for mystical creatures who take dictation from the divine. And it's the beginning of rational humanism, and people started to believe that creativity came completely from the self of the individual.
Video examples
TED2014 in review PIPE...
you know how I've struggled with weight issues my whole isobe you hustle everyone in our family turns out our bodies are filled with these microbes they totally have a huge say maybe dictate how would you weigh there in your gut during your vagina there in your mouth and apparently having
Video examples
Get comfortable with...
of keeping us from doing and saying the things that are our purpose. And I was like, "You know what? I'm not going to let fear rule my life. I'm not going to let fear dictate what I do." And then all of these awesome things started happening, and dominoes started to fall.
Video examples
Best Monkey Moments PIPE...
monkey etiquette dictates nobody attacks anyone holding a baby so they're like living flat jackets the mothers are worried and quickly scoop up the youngest here the two males face each other the family man backs towards one of his more loyal wives calling for support
Video examples
What "Orwellian" really...
a hypnotic state of cognitive dissonance in which one is compelled to disregard their own perception in place of the officially dictated version of events, leaving the individual completely dependent on the State's definition of reality itself. The result is a world
Video examples
What I learned from 100...
but one thing for I've got to be a better leader. I've got to be a better person. I cannot let that six-year-old keep dictating my life anymore. I have to put him back in his place. So this is where I went online and looked for help. Google was my friend.
Video examples
What does my headscarf...
The fact is, we all have biases against what's different, what's different to our social norms. The thing is, if we want to live in a world where the circumstances of your birth do not dictate your future and where equal opportunity is ubiquitous,
Video examples
Living Off the Land in...
But we don't get to dictate. Sometimes nature's like, uh-uh. Not today. And so when you live in this type of lifestyle, and you're actually living off of the land and the ocean, you are living by what nature gives you. Connecting over conquering.
Video examples
Why domestic violence...
If you had told me that this smart, funny, sensitive man who adored me would one day dictate whether or not I wore makeup, how short my skirts were, where I lived, what jobs I took,
Video examples
Nature's Oddest Looking...
the trees are run away winners they not only dictate the bodies and lifestyles of these monkeys but ensure that the density of mammals is kept low in the
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Viola Davis
American Actress
I think sometimes what people miss about black people is that we're complicated, that we are indeed messy, that we do our best with what we've been given. We come into the world exactly like you. It's just that there are circumstances in the culture that are dictated and put on our lives that we have to fight against.
Quote examples
Zazie Beetz
German Actress
Despite my career, so much of my life has been dictated by what I'm afraid of: fear that I am not talented. Fear that people will finally realize that I am a boring individual who doesn't have many ambitions beyond starting a family 'at a good time' in life.
Quote examples
Holly Willoughby
English Celebrity
With any body shape it's important to buy the right size and not be dictated to by size you think you are. Try on a bigger and a smaller size in the shop and see what fits visually. If you do have to go up a size, cut the label out, it's just a number!
Quote examples
Ansel Adams
American Photographer
No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.
Quote examples
Hjalmar Schacht
German Economist
Material loss can be made up through renewed labor, but the moral wrong which has been inflicted upon the conquered peoples, in the peace dictates, leaves a burning scar on the people's conscience.
Quote examples
Ernestine Rose
American Activist
If any difference should be made by law between husband and wife, reason, justice and humanity, if their voices were heard, would dictate that it should be in her favor.
Quote examples
Estella Warren
Canadian Model
It's hard to go with a trend. As soon as it's out, everyone picks it up. It's important to stay true to yourself. Have fun with fashion instead of letting it dictate.
Quote examples
Grant Achatz
American Chef
I lived my whole life in the kitchen. Not only that, but it's the passion, it's the love for cooking and food. It's dictated my entire life - every aspect of it.
Quote examples
Ferdinand Buisson
French Activist
A human society obeys the dictates of reason and is guided and governed by a respect for justice.
Quote examples
Normani Kordei
American Musician
You can't allow someone's hate to dictate your life.
Quote examples
Viola Davis
American Actress
I think sometimes what people miss about black people is that we're complicated, that we are indeed messy, that we do our best with what we've been given. We come into the world exactly like you. It's just that there are circumstances in the culture that are dictated and put on our lives that we have to fight against.
Quote examples
Zazie Beetz
German Actress
Despite my career, so much of my life has been dictated by what I'm afraid of: fear that I am not talented. Fear that people will finally realize that I am a boring individual who doesn't have many ambitions beyond starting a family 'at a good time' in life.
Quote examples
Holly Willoughby
English Celebrity
With any body shape it's important to buy the right size and not be dictated to by size you think you are. Try on a bigger and a smaller size in the shop and see what fits visually. If you do have to go up a size, cut the label out, it's just a number!
Quote examples
Ansel Adams
American Photographer
No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.
Quote examples
Hjalmar Schacht
German Economist
Material loss can be made up through renewed labor, but the moral wrong which has been inflicted upon the conquered peoples, in the peace dictates, leaves a burning scar on the people's conscience.
Quote examples
Ernestine Rose
American Activist
If any difference should be made by law between husband and wife, reason, justice and humanity, if their voices were heard, would dictate that it should be in her favor.
Quote examples
Estella Warren
Canadian Model
It's hard to go with a trend. As soon as it's out, everyone picks it up. It's important to stay true to yourself. Have fun with fashion instead of letting it dictate.
Quote examples
Grant Achatz
American Chef
I lived my whole life in the kitchen. Not only that, but it's the passion, it's the love for cooking and food. It's dictated my entire life - every aspect of it.
Quote examples
Ferdinand Buisson
French Activist
A human society obeys the dictates of reason and is guided and governed by a respect for justice.
Quote examples
Normani Kordei
American Musician
You can't allow someone's hate to dictate your life.
Example 1 of 10
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