decide

American  

[dih-sahyd] / dɪˈsaɪd /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of decide

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”; see -cide ( def. ))

Explanation

To decide is to make up your mind to do (or not do) something. People decide hundreds of things a day, from what to eat to what TV shows to watch. Deciding involves making decisions — choosing what to do. There are a lot of things in life to decide, such as where to live, what school to go to, where to apply for a job, and what kind of clothes to buy and wear. At any restaurant, there are hundreds of options: you have to decide which is right for you. You can also say that if a touchdown ended a game, it decided the game.

Example Sentences

If enough of them decide to leave the apps, the ride-hailing companies could be forced to raise fares further to attract some back.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

When Hugo signed up for a project to help him decide if he wanted to study French at GCSE, he had no idea it would lead him to learn Mandarin.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Admittedly it takes some judgment to decide whom to start a conversation with, especially these days.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Since the landmark Supreme Court decision in 2018 that allowed states to decide whether to allow sports wagering, this type of gambling has proliferated.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

I decide to write about the last good day my mom and I had.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

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