decide
Americanverb (used with object)
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decides,
present (3rd person singular)
-
decided,
past participle, past
-
deciding
present participle
-
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.
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to determine or settle (something in dispute or doubt).
to decide an argument.
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to bring (a person) to a decision; persuade or convince.
The new evidence decided him.
verb (used without object)
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decides,
present (3rd person singular)
-
decided,
past participle, past
-
deciding
present participle
-
to settle something in dispute or doubt.
The judge decided in favor of the plaintiff.
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to make a judgment or determine a preference; come to a conclusion.
verb
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(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
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(tr) to cause (a person) to reach a decision
the weather decided me against going
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(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
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(intr; foll by for or against) to pronounce a formal verdict
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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decidesimple
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decidessimple
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have decidedperfect
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has decidedperfect
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am decidingprogressive
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are decidingprogressive
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is decidingprogressive
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have been decidingperfect progressive
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has been decidingperfect progressive
Past
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decidedsimple
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had decidedperfect
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was decidingprogressive
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were decidingprogressive
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had been decidingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing decide
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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5th Grade Government Vocabulary, List 1
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"Zlateh the Goat"
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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.
See Examples For:
How did you decide on where to go and who to track down for the crispiest apples?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2026
At the same time there are calls for Europe to decide soon on who will represent it -- with EU leaders set to debate the issue in Dublin.
From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2026
“Dating is when you’re getting to know each other so you can decide whether you want to be boyfriend/girlfriend.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2026
If you decide to go another, more expensive route, Boudreaux encourages you to understand what benefits she’d be eligible for if you predecease her.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 13, 2026
They had to decide what to do about Hominy Ridge School now that Miss Myrt was in the ground.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Critics argue that when a PBM decides which drugs qualify as specialty and then fills those prescriptions at its own pharmacy, it can mark them up.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2026
Huang has a limited ability to fight Nvidia’s board if it decides to remove him.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 12, 2026
The Greek tragedy unfolding now at Nvidia may test that theory if its board decides to replace Chief Executive Jensen Huang.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026
It’s rare when a varsity coach decides to add a player in the middle of a season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2026
Captain Smith decides that now that some of us are well, every able-bodied man must be skilled at using a musket.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Akarsu and his colleagues decided to investigate what would happen if that restriction were removed.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026
Sidhu decided he wanted some sparkle on his cars too at the most glamorous race in the F1 calendar.
From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026
He decided after a trip to Europe that he wanted to open his own optical store.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2026
He has told a poignant story about how his mother became pregnant with him at age 17, considered getting an abortion, but then decided against it.
From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2026
It must be an hour after noon, I decided.
From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell
The two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a match live on BBC One that could be instrumental in deciding the title.
From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2026
The French presidency said the leaders were focused on finding an "overall balance" in deciding on the three posts to the Frankfurt-based institution.
From Barron's ● Nov. 13, 2026
The study's conclusions were based on independently generated scientific data, with the author retaining responsibility for interpreting the evidence and deciding which explanation was best supported.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 11, 2026
According to a summary on PrizePicks, users select a pack they want to open, with a randomizer deciding which cards they get.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 11, 2026
The serpent’s eyes comb across the ship—probably deciding where to start with its meal.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
