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
- decidedly adverb
- decidedness noun
- predecided adjective
- well-decided adjective
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.
The board decided to widen the scope to include any companies with cash equivalents on their balance sheet.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
As well as the potential remedies, which will be decided by Arun Subramanian, the judge in charge of the case, Live Nation could face a financial penalty.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
However, more than 30 states, including California, decided to proceed with the trial.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
Any changes to Live Nation’s business — be it a breakup or other divestments — will be decided separately, the New York Times reported.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
Although I’d decided that I was not going back to school, now I was grasping for anything that might change his mind.
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.
