delineate

/dɪˈlɪniːeɪt/

Group 25Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(verb)
To describe or portray something precisely; to indicate the exact position of a border
GRE

Example in Context

The report clearly delineated the responsibilities of each agency, eliminating the jurisdictional ambiguities that had plagued previous efforts.

Synonyms

outlinedescribedefine

Etymology

To draw a line or outline clearly.

  • de- (Latin) — from
  • lineare (Latin) — to draw a line

Memory Aid

✏️Sounds like “de line ate

Imagine someone saying 'DE LINE ate my lunch!' while drawing a perfect line around their lunchbox!

Visual Association

🖊️An artist carefully sketching the outline of a beautiful landscape, paying attention to every detail.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “delineate” mean on the GRE?

delineate (verb) means “To describe or portray something precisely; to indicate the exact position of a border”. The report clearly delineated the responsibilities of each agency, eliminating the jurisdictional ambiguities that had plagued previous efforts.

How to remember “delineate” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “delineate” sounds like “de line ate”. Imagine someone saying 'DE LINE ate my lunch!' while drawing a perfect line around their lunchbox!

What are synonyms for “delineate”?

Common synonyms: outline, describe, define.