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decide

verb
de·​cide | \ di-ˈsīd How to pronounce decide (audio) , dē-\
decided; deciding

Definition of decide

transitive verb

1a : to make a final choice or judgment about decide what to do couldn't decide whether to take the job or not
b : to select as a course of action —used with an infinitive decided to go
c : to infer on the basis of evidence : conclude They decided that he was right.
2 : to bring to a definitive end one blow decided the fight
3 : to induce to come to a choice her pleas decided him to help

intransitive verb

: to make a choice or judgment decide on where to go
Other Words from decide Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about decide

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Other Words from decide

decider \ di-​ˈsī-​dər How to pronounce decider (audio) , dē-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for decide

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy. she decided to sell her house determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something. determined the cause of the problem settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty. the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority. the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something. he resolved to quit smoking

Examples of decide in a Sentence

He decided that dinner would be at 7 o'clock, and asked guests to arrive at 6. She is having difficulty deciding about the offer. They decided that he was right. I am trying to decide if it's warm enough for swimming. “Do you think she is telling the truth?” “I'm not sure. I'm still trying to decide.” A few hundred votes could decide the election. One blow decided the fight. This battle could very well decide the war. Will the business be successful? Let the public decide. The case will be decided by the Supreme Court.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 For Nationals, Abby Lee Miller decided the ALDC would perform to a song from the Broadway musical, The Prom. — Martha Sorren, Woman's Day, "'Dance Moms' Performed a 'Prom'-Inspired Routine That'll Have You Applauding From Your Couch," 29 Aug. 2019 In the meantime, Batelle is still deciding who will become NEON’s scientific director, replacing Sharon Collinge, who resigned early this year in protest of how Battelle was treating its scientific staff. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "NSF’s huge ecological observatory is open for business. But tensions remain," 29 Aug. 2019 Consumers can quickly look up a rating before deciding whether to see a new film. — Anousha Sakoui / Bloomberg, Time, "Movie-Critic Website Rotten Tomatoes Diversifies, Adding More Women Reviewers," 28 Aug. 2019 The commission didn't have to look at just the current situation in deciding Arbulu's future, the AG's office said. — Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan Civil Rights Commission fires director Agustin Arbulu after 5-2 vote," 27 Aug. 2019 The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences earlier this year contemplated a new rule stipulating a four-week exclusive run in theaters before ultimately deciding not to amend their rules for next year's Oscars. — Jake Coyle, chicagotribune.com, "Netflix to give ‘The Irishman’ exclusive theatrical release," 27 Aug. 2019 In the mid-1990s, a young biologist named Suzanne Simard, now at the University of British Columbia, decided to test this concept in a forest. — Quanta Magazine, "Soil’s Microbial Market Shows the Ruthless Side of Forests," 27 Aug. 2019 Leading candidates such as Ms. Warren, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Biden face challenges in deciding how much to focus on immediate economic threats. — New York Times, "Trade Turmoil Gives Democrats an Opening to Hit Trump on Economy," 24 Aug. 2019 Courts could decide that a conversion from audio to text doesn't have the same fair use protections as the time-shifting activities the courts have blessed in the past. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Book publishers sue Audible to stop new speech-to-text feature," 24 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'decide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of decide

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for decide

Middle English, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut

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More Definitions for decide

decide

verb
How to pronounce decide (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of decide

: to make a choice about (something) : to choose (something) after thinking about it
: to choose whether or not to believe (something) after thinking about it : to reach a conclusion about (something) because of evidence
: to cause (something) to end in a particular way : to determine what the result of (something) will be

See the full definition for decide in the English Language Learners Dictionary

decide

verb
de·​cide | \ di-ˈsīd How to pronounce decide (audio) \
decided; deciding

Kids Definition of decide

1 : to make a judgment on The judge decided the case.
2 : to bring to an end in a particular way One vote could decide the election.
3 : to make a choice especially after careful thought We decided to go.

decide

verb

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