decided
Americanadjective
-
in no way uncertain or ambiguous; unmistakable; unquestionable.
a decided victory.
- Synonyms:
- indubitable, sure, definite, pronounced, certain, positive, indisputable, undeniable
-
free from hesitation or wavering; resolute; determined.
a decided approach to a problem.
- Synonyms:
- unhesitating, resolved
- Antonyms:
- uncertain
adjective
-
unmistakable
a decided improvement
-
determined; resolute
a girl of decided character
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of decided
Explanation
The adjective decided means recognizable, marked, or distinct. If you have a decided preference for classical music, you'll probably get Bach for your birthday and not the Beatles. Decided comes from the verb decide. If something has been decided, the question has been answered. So when we use decided as an adjective, we mean that there is no question about it. If you have decided political views, you won't be swayed by any debate. Decided can also mean distinct, as in a decided splash of yellow paint on your red car.
Vocabulary lists containing decided
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Suzman and other foundation leaders decided to pull Gates out of a South Africa trip in the works, according to an internal document.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
Only once PSG decided to play Arsenal at its own game in the second half did it find a way back into this final.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
But Ross MacPhee is among those who have decided to return to their homes.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
"There's been enough compelling evidence that compounds from tomatoes and soy might be modulating inflammation that we decided to test this in people," Cooperstone said.
From Science Daily • May 30, 2026
She eventually decided on a filagree headdress she would wear atop a turban —and a long strand of hand-carved carnelian beads, not necessarily for the costume.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
