Definition of 'decide'

decide

(dɪsaɪd )

Word forms: decides, deciding, decided

1. transitive verb/intransitive verb

If you decide to do something, you choose to do it, usually after you have thought carefully about the other possibilities.

She decided to take a course in philosophy.

Think about it very carefully before you decide.

2. transitive verb

If a person or group of people decides something, they choose what something should be like or how a particular problem should be solved.

She was still young, he said, and that would be taken into account when deciding her sentence.

3. transitive verb

If an event or fact decides something, it makes it certain that a particular choice will be made or that there will be a particular result.

What happens next could decide their destiny.

The election will decide if either party controls both houses of Congress.

4. transitive verb

If you decide that something is true, you form that opinion about it after considering the facts.

He decided Franklin must be suffering from a bad cold.

Phrasal verbs:

decide on

decide in American English

(diˈsaɪd ; dēsīdˈ; dɪˈsaɪd ; disīdˈ)

verb transitiveWord forms: deˈcided or deˈciding

to end (a contest, dispute, etc.) by giving one side the victory or by passing judgment

to make up one's mind, or reach a decision, about; determine

to decide what to do

to cause to reach a decision

verb intransitive

to arrive at a judgment, choice, or decision

SYNONYMY NOTE: decide implies the bringing to an end of vacillation, doubt, dispute, etc. by making up one's mind as to an action, course, or judgment; , determine in addition suggests that the form, character, function, scope, etc. of something are precisely fixed [the club decided on a lecture series and appointed a committee to determine the speakers, the dates, etc.]; settle1 stresses finality in a decision, often one arrived at by arbitration, and implies the termination of all doubt or controversy; to , conclude is to decide after careful investigation or reasoning; , resolve implies firmness of intention to carry through a decision [he resolved to lose 10 pounds]

Derived forms

decidable (deˈcidable)

adjective

decider (deˈcider)

noun

Word origin of 'decide'

ME deciden < L decidere, to cut off, decide < de-, off, from + caedere, to cut: see -cide

decide

(dɪˈsaɪd )

verb

1. (may take a clause or an infinitive as object; when intr, sometimes foll by on or about)

to reach a decision

decide what you wanthe decided to go

2. (transitive)

to cause (a person) to reach a decision

the weather decided me against going

3. (transitive)

to determine or settle (a contest or question)

he decided his future plans

4. (transitive)

to influence decisively the outcome of (a contest or question)

Borg's stamina decided the match

5. (intr; foll by for or against)

to pronounce a formal verdict

Word origin of 'decide'

C14: from Old French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, literally: to cut off, from caedere to cut

Example sentences containing 'decide'

What have you decided to do about it? Nightingale, Carl Husemoller On the Edge: A History of Poor Black Children and Their American Dreams (1993)You just decide to do what you are going to do and let that speak for itself. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The recipient can then decide whether to contest it. Times, Sunday Times (2006)That happened partly because one person decided to expect the best. Christianity Today (2000)How do you decide what something must be called? Times, Sunday Times (2006)They decided to go for the lineout rather than the kick at goal. Times, Sunday Times (2009)It would be for the devolved administrations to decide whether to match the guarantee. Times, Sunday Times (2015)She was deciding what was about to happen. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Like he just decided it would stop. Times, Sunday Times (2012)If only the contest could be decided this way and not in court. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Hardly anybody attends when it has something to decide on. The Sun (2015)It is a match that will decide the unofficial world championship. Times, Sunday Times (2011)She urges local care trusts to forget about money when deciding whether to offer the miracle treatment. The Sun (2006)He decided not to contest the charge. Times, Sunday Times (2015)He also scored the winning try in the deciding match. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It was mainly about deciding to do it the biblical way. Times, Sunday Times (2008)But he danced through a sea of legs to decide the contest. The Sun (2011)We decided to go for it. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Sometimes, a person decides not to proceed further. Times, Sunday Times (2015)We decided just to have foreplay but this isn't enough for me. The Sun (2010)So if the person you decide to purchase from is unlicensed, you should tread carefully. Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)This was a big game but it's not going to decide our season. Times, Sunday Times (2012)We've just decided to be open and honest about it. The Sun (2013)Choose the right person, decide what you are going to say to them and choose the right moment. Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)