Well-defined: meaning, definitions and examples

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well-defined

 

[ ˌwel dɪˈfaɪnd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

mathematics

Clearly and precisely stated or described. A term used to describe a concept or object that has a precise definition and can be easily understood.

Synonyms

clear, precise, unambiguous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
well-defined

Use this term when something is explicitly detailed and has clear boundaries, often in academic or technical writing.

  • The instructions for the test were well-defined, leaving no room for confusion.
  • The researcher followed a well-defined methodology to ensure accuracy.
clear

Suitable for general use in everyday language to describe something easy to understand or see.

  • Her explanation was clear and easy to follow.
  • The sky was clear after the storm passed.
precise

Use when referring to something that is exact and accurate, often in scientific or formal contexts.

  • The engineer's measurements were precise to the millimeter.
  • Her instructions were very precise, leaving no room for error.
unambiguous

Best used when emphasizing that there is only one possible interpretation, often in legal or technical documents.

  • The contract terms were unambiguous and straightforward.
  • The policy was written in unambiguous language to avoid misunderstandings.

Examples of usage

  • His theorem was well-defined and easy to apply in various mathematical problems.
  • The function was well-defined, with clear boundaries and limitations.
  • The definition of the set was well-defined, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Clearly outlined or specified. Refers to something that is clearly articulated or explained.

Synonyms

clear, explicit, specific.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
well-defined

This is used when something is carefully and clearly described or outlined, often with precise boundaries or details.

  • The project goals are well-defined, leaving no room for confusion
  • The rules of the game are well-defined by the organizers
clear

This is used when something is easy to understand and not confusing. It can be used in a wide range of situations, from instructions to explanations.

  • The teacher's explanation was clear and helped everyone understand the topic
  • Make sure your handwriting is clear so others can read it
specific

This is used when referring to something particular or unique, often with detailed and focused information.

  • He asked for specific instructions about the task
  • She has a specific talent for programming
explicit

This is used when something is stated in a very direct and detailed manner, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation. Often used in formal or serious settings.

  • The contract has explicit terms about payment and deadlines
  • She was explicit about her reasons for leaving the company

Examples of usage

  • The rules of the game were well-defined, ensuring fair play for all participants.
  • The objectives of the project were well-defined from the beginning.
  • The parameters of the experiment were well-defined, allowing for accurate results.

Translations

Translations of the word "well-defined" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bem definido

🇮🇳 अच्छी तरह से परिभाषित

🇩🇪 gut definiert

🇮🇩 terdefinisi dengan baik

🇺🇦 чітко визначений

🇵🇱 dobrze zdefiniowany

🇯🇵 明確に定義された

🇫🇷 bien défini

🇪🇸 bien definido

🇹🇷 iyi tanımlanmış

🇰🇷 잘 정의된

🇸🇦 مُحَدَّد بِوُضُوح

🇨🇿 dobře definovaný

🇸🇰 dobre definovaný

🇨🇳 定义明确的

🇸🇮 dobro opredeljen

🇮🇸 vel skilgreindur

🇰🇿 жақсы анықталған

🇬🇪 კარგად განსაზღვრული

🇦🇿 yaxşı təyin olunmuş

🇲🇽 bien definido

Etymology

The term 'well-defined' originated from the combination of 'well' meaning in a good or satisfactory manner, and 'defined' meaning to state the meaning of a word or phrase clearly and precisely. It is commonly used in mathematics and other fields to indicate concepts or objects that have clear and unambiguous definitions.