Past Tense of
define
defined
Regular -d Addition
📄 Regular form · -d Addition

Base Form Define

6Letters
2Syllables
3Vowels
3Consonants
DStarts
EEnds

Past Tense Defined

7Letters
3Syllables
3Vowels
4Consonants
DStarts
DEnds

How to Form the Past Tense of "define"

Verbs ending in -e simply add -d to form the past tense. This is the most straightforward regular rule.

Grammar Tips

  • Words ending in -e only need -d added.

Common Mistakes

  • Do not add -ed to words ending in -e. Use -d only.
Frequently Asked Questions

Is define regular or irregular?

Define is regular. It follows the -d Addition rule.

How do you use defined in a sentence?

Use past time markers: "Yesterday, she defined to the store."

Does defined change in negative sentences?

No. Use "did not define" (not "did not defined").

About the past tense of define

The verb define follows the standard English past tense conjugation rule. When forming the past tense, define becomes defined. This follows the -d Addition pattern, which is one of the most common conjugation rules in English.

Understanding why define becomes defined helps with spelling and pronunciation. Verbs ending in -e simply add -d to form the past tense. This is the most straightforward regular rule.

When using defined in writing, remember that it functions as a past tense verb and typically appears with time markers like yesterday, last week, or ago. For example: "Yesterday, she defined to the store." The past tense form does not change based on the subject — I defined, you defined, he/she defined, we defined, they defined.