Which word describes the act of explaining the exact meaning of a word or idea?

• A. Define
• B. Describe
• C. Detail
• D. Delineate

Answer: (A)

Defining a term means giving its exact meaning—the precise statement that captures what the word truly means. This is why defining is the best choice here: it specifically asks for a precise sense or dictionary-style explanation of a word or idea. The other verbs describe aspects rather than the exact meaning. Describe focuses on what something is like or how it appears; detail adds particulars or features without necessarily pinning down the precise sense; delineate outlines or marks boundaries, which can be about scope or structure more than the essential meaning. So when you’re asked to explain the exact meaning of a word or idea, to define it is to provide the clear, essential meaning.