Delineate: meaning, definitions and examples

🖋️
Add to dictionary

delineate

 

[ dɪˈlɪn.i.eɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in drawing

To describe or portray something precisely. To outline or define the boundaries of something.

Synonyms

define, depict, describe, outline

Examples of usage

  • He meticulously delineated the details of the landscape in his drawing.
  • The map delineates the borders between the two countries.
Context #2 | Verb

in speech or writing

To explain or set out an idea or concept clearly and in detail.

Synonyms

clarify, elaborate, explain, expound

Examples of usage

  • The professor delineated the key principles of the theory in his lecture.
  • The report clearly delineates the steps to be taken for project completion.

Translations

Translations of the word "delineate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 delinear

🇮🇳 सीमा निर्धारित करना

🇩🇪 abgrenzen

🇮🇩 menggambarkan

🇺🇦 окреслювати

🇵🇱 określać

🇯🇵 描く (えがく)

🇫🇷 délimiter

🇪🇸 delimitar

🇹🇷 tasvir etmek

🇰🇷 윤곽을 그리다

🇸🇦 يُحَدِّد

🇨🇿 vymezit

🇸🇰 vymedziť

🇨🇳 勾画 (gōuhuà)

🇸🇮 orisa

🇮🇸 afmarka

🇰🇿 шекаралау

🇬🇪 განსაზღვრა

🇦🇿 müəyyənləşdirmək

🇲🇽 delimitar

Etymology

The word 'delineate' originated from the Latin word 'delineare', which means 'to sketch out'. It entered the English language in the mid-16th century. The term has been used in various fields such as art, cartography, and linguistics to denote the act of outlining or describing something with precision.

See also: line, lineage, lineal, linear, lineated, lined, linen, lines, lineup, lining, online, outline, rectilinear, underline, underlining.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,898, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.