How Do You Spell DICTATE?

Pronunciation: [dɪktˈe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "dictate" is spelled with the IPA symbol /dɪkˈteɪt/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound like in "tin," followed by a "k" sound and a long "a" sound like in "say." The second syllable is pronounced with a soft "t" sound and a short "e" sound like in "pet." This word can mean to give orders or commands, or to speak aloud for transcription or recording. It is important to spell this word correctly in writing to avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

DICTATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Dictate is a verb that is used to describe the action of giving authoritative orders or commands to someone. When someone dictates, they are exerting supremacy or control over others, directing them in what they should do or say. This can involve making decisions or giving instructions that others are expected to comply with unquestionably.

    In a broader sense, dictate can also refer to the act of stating or prescribing a rule, policy, or principle that is considered binding or inflexible. It implies a position of influence or dominance in which one's opinions or beliefs are imposed on others without much room for discussion or divergence.

    Dictate often implies that the person issuing the orders expects strict adherence to their instructions, leaving little or no room for negotiation or individual judgment. It suggests a one-way flow of power or authority, where the person who dictates is engaging in an act of control over those who receive the instructions.

    In addition to formal contexts such as business or politics, dictate can also be used in a more informal or metaphorical manner. For example, one might say that the weather or circumstances dictate a particular course of action, meaning that these external factors make it necessary or inevitable to act in a certain way.

    Overall, dictate conveys a sense of authority, control, and dominance in directing or prescribing actions, orders, or rules that others are expected to follow.

  2. • To tell or order with authority; to utter words that are to be committed to writing by another; to suggest; to direct.
    • An order delivered; a rule or maxim; a suggestion to the mind, as a rule or direction.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DICTATE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DICTATE

Etymology of DICTATE

The word "dictate" is derived from the Latin verb "dictare", which means "to dictate, order, prescribe". It comes from the past participle form of the verb "dicere", meaning "to say, speak". In Latin, "dictare" originally referred to the act of dictating a message for transcription by another person, specifically a scribe or secretary. Over time, the word expanded in its usage to encompass the general sense of issuing commands or instructions with authority, which it retains in its modern English usage.

Idioms with the word DICTATE

  • dictate (sth) to sm The idiom "dictate (something) to someone" generally means to give orders or commands to someone in an authoritative or controlling manner, especially when requiring them to do something in a specific way or according to one's own preferences or instructions.
  • dictate to (one) The idiom "dictate to (one)" means to give orders or commands to someone in a forceful or authoritative manner, without giving them the opportunity to question or express their own opinion. It implies a one-way communication where the person giving the orders assumes complete control and expects obedience.
  • dictate (something) to someone The idiom "dictate (something) to someone" means to give orders or command someone in an autocratic or controlling manner, without considering their opinion or input. It implies a one-sided decision-making process where one person has complete authority and dominance over the other. It can also refer to forcibly imposing one's views or ideas onto someone else.
  • dictate to The idiom "dictate to" means to order, command or direct someone in a forceful or controlling manner. It refers to the act of issuing strict instructions or exerting one's authority over others, often without considering their opinions or objections.

Similar spelling words for DICTATE

Plural form of DICTATE is DICTATES

Conjugate verb Dictate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have dictated
you would have dictated
he/she/it would have dictated
we would have dictated
they would have dictated
I would have dictate
you would have dictate
he/she/it would have dictate
we would have dictate
they would have dictate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been dictating
you would have been dictating
he/she/it would have been dictating
we would have been dictating
they would have been dictating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would dictate
you would dictate
he/she/it would dictate
we would dictate
they would dictate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be dictating
you would be dictating
he/she/it would be dictating
we would be dictating
they would be dictating

FUTURE

I will dictate
you will dictate
he/she/it will dictate
we will dictate
they will dictate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be dictating
you will be dictating
he/she/it will be dictating
we will be dictating
they will be dictating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have dictated
you will have dictated
he/she/it will have dictated
we will have dictated
they will have dictated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been dictating
you will have been dictating
he/she/it will have been dictating
we will have been dictating
they will have been dictating

IMPERATIVE

you dictate
we let´s dictate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to dictate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was dictating
you were dictating
he/she/it was dictating
we were dictating
they were dictating

PAST PARTICIPLE

dictated

PAST PERFECT

I had dictated
you had dictated
he/she/it had dictated
we had dictated
they had dictated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been dictating
you had been dictating
he/she/it had been dictating
we had been dictating
they had been dictating

PRESENT

I dictate
you dictate
he/she/it dictates
we dictate
they dictate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am dictating
you are dictating
he/she/it is dictating
we are dictating
they are dictating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

dictating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have dictated
you have dictated
he/she/it has dictated
we have dictated
they have dictated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been dictating
you have been dictating
he/she/it has been dictating
we have been dictating
they have been dictating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it dictate

SIMPLE PAST

I dictated
you dictated
he/she/it dictated
we dictated
they dictated

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: