determined

[dih-tur-mind]

adjective

1. resolute; staunch.

   the determined defenders of the Alamo.

   Synonyms: unfaltering, inflexible

2. decided; settled; resolved.

3. Grammar.,  (of a phonetic feature) predictable from its surrounding context.

determined

/ dɪˈtɜːmɪnd /

adjective

1. of unwavering mind; resolute; firm

Other Word Forms

• determinedness noun
• determinedly adverb
• postdetermined adjective
• undetermined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of determined¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; determine + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Her family suggested she change the name of her business to avoid further confusion, but she said she was determined to stick with her name and hoped Facebook would take the fraudulent page down.

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Lai said Taiwan was determined to "maintain peace through strength" and called on China to "renounce the use of force or coercion to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait".

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And it will deliver a sharp reminder to Bellingham and others that Tuchel is determined to tread his own path towards next summer's World Cup.

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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said Thursday he was appointing a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation into the killing of Scott Spivey in a road-rage encounter that prosecutors determined was self-defense.

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Those steep damages have since been reduced on appeal, but the president has appeared determined to punish James for winning the case.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• decisive 
• dogged 
• purposeful 
• resolute 
• resolved 
• serious 
• single-minded 
• steadfast 
• strong-willed 
• stubborn 
• tenacious 

When To Use

What does determined mean?

Determined means firmly set in one’s decision or course of action, especially with the aim of achieving a particular goal.Someone who’s determined to do something is extremely motivated and unlikely to quit or change their mind. Someone who’s determined in general has a very strong desire to achieve their goals.Someone who’s determined in this way is said to be showing determination—the quality of being firm in one’s purpose.Determined is also the past tense form of the verb determine, meaning to decide or settle in an authoritative way or conclude after observation. The term undetermined uses this sense of the word. Something that’s undetermined has not been conclusively decided or settled. (It’s not used to describe someone who’s not particularly motivated.)Example: I am absolutely determined to finish this race, even if I have to crawl across the finish line.