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

   he decided to go

   decide what you want

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

Example Sentences

A famous example of decoupling occurred after golfer Tiger Woods’s sex scandal, Reed said, with some of his fans deciding they could separate “Tiger Woods the golfer and Tiger Woods the cheating husband.”

From Washington Post

He had always been a midfielder, but at the Barcelona academy, coaches decided to try him at forward.

From Washington Post

I have zero problem with Cuban initially deciding not to play the anthem at Mavericks games this season.

From Washington Post

The Schneider Electric team decided it was time for a change.

From Search Engine Watch

It was deciding to step away from the team immediately afterward that was difficult.

From Washington Post

Between 25 and 30, you’re trying to decide how much longer before you start growing a beard and calling yourself ‘Daddy.

From The Daily Beast

Where the U.S. once depended on its own forces to determine who was military material, this time the Iraqis will decide.

From The Daily Beast

At that point, the Library of Congress can once again decide to prohibit consumers from unlocking their cell phones.

From The Daily Beast

People always have to perceive the problems before them, including many unexpected nuances, and decide how to handle them.

From The Daily Beast

Washington cannot let others—whether in Pyongyang or Beijing or Moscow, or Tehran—decide what Americans read or watch.

From The Daily Beast

Decide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!

From Project Gutenberg

How dare you decide in this cold-blooded way whether I am to be called—ah—Tosh—or—ah—Porker!

From Project Gutenberg

It was probably this opposition that made young Cargill decide that it would be really worth while to defy the legend.

From Project Gutenberg

An appeal has been made by them from the House of Commons to you, and it is for the country to decide the question at issue.

From Project Gutenberg

He must therefore decide at once either to continue his membership or withdraw.

From Project Gutenberg

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.