Fact · Voice and AI
Dictionary.com lists dictates, in the plural, as a noun meaning a guiding or governing principle or requirement, and gives the example of following the dictates of one's conscience.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“to follow the dictates of one's conscience”
Dictate: definition, etymology and explanation on Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, n.d., Noun entry for dictates.
Open the original- What it measures
- The noun appears as a separate entry in the same dictionary page. It is marked as formal in other dictionaries, so it is most common in writing about duty, morals and rules.
- What it does not show
- The noun is uncommon in everyday speech, and the entry gives one example rather than a survey of usage.