decide
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.
to determine or settle (something in dispute or doubt): to decide an argument.
to bring (a person) to a decision; persuade or convince: The new evidence decided him.
to settle something in dispute or doubt: The judge decided in favor of the plaintiff.
to make a judgment or determine a preference; come to a conclusion.
Origin of decide
1Other words from decide
- de·cid·er, noun
- pre·de·cide, verb (used with object), pre·de·cid·ed, pre·de·cid·ing.
- re·de·cide, verb, re·de·cid·ed, re·de·cid·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use decide in a sentence
The world should have a clearer idea after December 21, when the court decides whether or not Livvix will remain in custody.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist | Creede Newton | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo break her self-destructive cycle and heal, she decides to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solo.
Exclusive: The Making of Reese Witherspoon’s Golden Globe-Nominated ‘Wild’ | Marlow Stern | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOtherwise, he decides whether or not to perform a wedding based on how comfortable he feels with the spouse on the outside.
On the contrary, if the Court now decides to hear this case on the merits, it might be a fast-track.
Sully decides to face the truth of what his negligence has sown.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70 | Peter Richmond | October 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The referee who presides at the first meeting makes up or decides on its membership.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesHeredity decides how a man shall be bred; environment regulates what he shall learn.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordI'm going to remove myself from this buckboard before one of those horses decides to sit in my lap.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee HopeMan, you will say, decides every moment on actions which he knows will endanger him; man kills himself sometimes, then he is free.
Superstition In All Ages (1732) | Jean MeslierThis event, as you will easily understand, decides in a great measure the rest of my life.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2) | Edward Gibbon
British Dictionary definitions for decide
/ (dɪˈsaɪd) /
(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
(tr) to cause (a person) to reach a decision: the weather decided me against going
(tr) to determine or settle (a contest or question): he decided his future plans
(tr) to influence decisively the outcome of (a contest or question): Borg's stamina decided the match
(intr; foll by for or against) to pronounce a formal verdict
Origin of decide
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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