decide

[dih-sahyd]

verb (used with object)

decided, deciding 

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)

decided, deciding 

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 Word Forms

• decider noun
• predecide verb (used with object)
• redecide verb

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

Example Sentences

For the first time since those training sessions at Golden West, Gadsden decided to visit Disneyland.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the face of community opposition, Weingart ultimately decided not to pursue the project.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nia Joseph is among those who has decided not to let work dictate her personal life.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Major League Baseball championship deciding game seven is set for Saturday night.

Read more on Barron's

"The design only represents a third of the work, but the operator decides how and where the robot attacks," said Hosseini, from Kerman in southern Iran.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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

When To Use

What are other ways to say decide?

To decide is to settle something in dispute or doubt. How is it different from resolve and determine? Find out on Thesaurus.com.