determined
Americanadjective
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resolute; staunch.
the determined defenders of the Alamo.
- Synonyms:
- unfaltering, inflexible
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decided; settled; resolved.
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Grammar. (of a phonetic feature) predictable from its surrounding context.
adjective
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of determined
Explanation
Olympic athletes are some of the most determined people you're going to meet. At that level, they've got to be driven to succeed. Otherwise, their opponents will surely beat them. If you want to reach your goal, you must be determined to do so. To be determined is to be motivated, driven, or really focused on the task at hand — and that can be something as big as winning a prize or as small as fixing a squeaky door. No matter the task, the folks who get the job done are almost always the most determined. Determined can also mean "decided." For instance, a judge can determine what the sentence will be. If that sentence is predetermined, then it's already been decided.
Vocabulary lists containing determined
Number the Stars
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List 4
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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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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.
Yet Dr Saung, who once served in the army, spending 19 years at a military academy, remains determined to inspire the young rebels he sees coming through his doors to keep fighting.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
What begins among a core of determined activists can quickly become the way democracy works.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
Kim wields more agency than before and is determined to assert more autonomy during policy discussions with his Chinese guest.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
France's consumer protection agency, DGCCRF, determined that Nintendo Europe had not sufficiently informed consumers of the recurring problem despite the console being sold for years since its 2017 launch.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Now Father is determined to make the journey carrying the Torah in his arms.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
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.
