decide

[ dih-sahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing.

1. to solve or conclude (a question, controversy, or struggle) by giving victory to one side:

   The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff.

2. to determine or settle (something in dispute or doubt):

   to decide an argument.

3. to bring (a person) to a decision; persuade or convince:

   The new evidence decided him.

verb (used without object)

, de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing.

1. to settle something in dispute or doubt:

   The judge decided in favor of the plaintiff.

2. to make a judgment or determine a preference; come to a conclusion.

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 want

   he decided to go

2. tr to cause (a person) to reach a decision

   the weather decided me against going

3. tr to determine or settle (a contest or question)

   he decided his future plans

4. tr 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

Other Words From

• de·cider noun
• prede·cide verb (used with object) predecided predeciding
• rede·cide verb redecided redeciding

Word History and Origins

Origin of decide¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English deciden, from Middle French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, literally, “to cut off,” equivalent to dē- de- + -cīdere (combining form of caedere “to strike, cut down”; -cide ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of decide¹

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

Related Words

• agree
• choose
• conclude
• determine
• elect
• end
• establish
• resolve
• rule
• select
• set
• vote