dicta: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Legal
Quick answer
What does “dicta” mean?
Formal or authoritative statements, opinions, or pronouncements made by someone in a position of authority, particularly a judge.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Formal or authoritative statements, opinions, or pronouncements made by someone in a position of authority, particularly a judge.
Authoritative pronouncements or sayings that are accepted as true and are often cited, especially in academic, legal, or intellectual contexts. The plural of 'dictum'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. More common in American legal and academic writing due to the influence of the U.S. legal system.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with the legacy of historical legal or philosophical figures in British usage; slightly more associated with contemporary judicial commentary in American usage.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to its strong presence in legal education and writing.
Grammar
How to Use “dicta” in a Sentence
The dicta of [Authority Figure]According to the dicta ofThese dicta suggest thatOne finds in his dictaVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in formal writing about business philosophy or historical business leaders.
Academic
Common in legal, philosophical, historical, and political science texts to refer to the collected pronouncements of an important thinker or court.
Everyday
Almost never used. Would sound highly formal or pretentious.
Technical
Core term in legal writing, specifically to differentiate between binding legal rulings (ratio decidendi) and non-binding comments (obiter dicta).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dicta”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dicta”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dicta”
- Using it as a singular ("a dicta" is incorrect; it's "a dictum").
- Mispronouncing as /daɪkˈtɑː/ or /ˈdɪktɑː/.
- Using it in informal contexts where 'sayings' or 'comments' would be more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the plural form. The singular is 'dictum'.
All 'obiter dicta' (things said in passing) are a type of 'dicta'. 'Dicta' is the broader category for all authoritative pronouncements, while 'obiter dicta' specifically refers to non-binding judicial remarks.
It is highly discouraged due to its formal, technical register. Using it would likely sound unnatural or pretentious.
It is a plural noun.
Formal or authoritative statements, opinions, or pronouncements made by someone in a position of authority, particularly a judge.
Dicta is usually formal, academic, legal in register.
Dicta: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪktə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪktə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Obiter dicta (Latin: things said by the way; judicial comments not essential to the decision)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DICTA as 'DICTated' statements from an Authoritative figure.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A SOURCE OF TRUTH (Dicta flow from an authoritative source).
Practice
Quiz
In a legal context, 'dicta' most specifically refers to: