well-defined

IPA/ˌwel dɪˈfaɪnd/
IPA/ˌwel dɪˈfaɪnd/

well-defined — adjective

1. used to describe something that has been presented or written in a clear and exa

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe something that has been presented or written in a clear and exact way, so there is no confusion about its meaning or purpose

例句

The job ad gave a well-defined list of duties, so applicants knew the role's requirements.

a well-defined [noun]: used before a noun to describe clear content

Tunde's business plan was well-defined, with each goal broken down into measurable steps.

同義詞
  • clear

    more common and less formal than 'well-defined'; used in everyday speech

  • explicit

    suggests something is stated in full detail, leaving nothing implied

  • specific

    focuses on exactness and particularity rather than general description

  • precise

    emphasises accuracy and exact measurement in addition to clarity

反義詞
  • vague

    the most common opposite; means not clearly expressed or understood

  • ambiguous

    suggests something can be understood in more than one way

文法句型

be well-defined

a well-defined [noun]

not well-defined

用法筆記

Common in academic, business, and technical writing. Frequently used in the negative form 'not well-defined' to indicate that something is vague or confusing.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher's explanation was very well-defined clear.
✅The teacher's explanation was very clear and well-defined.
💡'well-defined' already includes the idea of clarity; do not pair it redundantly with 'clear'.

2. used to describe something whose edges, shape, or limits are very clear and easy

2.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe something whose edges, shape, or limits are very clear and easy to see or recognise, so it does not blend in with what is around it

例句

The satellite image showed well-defined boundaries between the farmland and the desert.

well-defined boundaries: common collocation for physical borders

After months of exercise, the muscles in Yara's arms became much more well-defined.

well-defined muscles: common in fitness and anatomy contexts

同義詞
  • distinct

    focuses on how easily one thing can be told apart from another

  • sharp

    emphasises a sudden, clear boundary rather than a gradual one

  • clear-cut

    informal alternative that stresses the absence of doubt or overlap

反義詞
  • fuzzy

    suggests edges or boundaries that are soft, unclear, or difficult to distinguish

  • blurred

    common when lines or shapes cannot be seen clearly

文法句型

be well-defined

a well-defined [noun]

have well-defined [noun]

用法筆記

Often used to describe physical appearance, geography, art, and scientific classification. Can describe both concrete physical boundaries and abstract conceptual limits.

常見錯誤

❌The map had very defined well boundaries.
✅The map had very well-defined boundaries.
💡The compound adjective must stay together before the noun.