decide

American  

[dih-sahyd] / dɪˈsaɪd /

verb (used with object)

decided, deciding

1. 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.

2. to determine or settle (something in dispute or doubt).

   to decide an argument.

3. to bring (a person) to a decision; persuade or convince.

   The new evidence decided him.

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verb (used without object)

decided, deciding

1. to settle something in dispute or doubt.

   The judge decided in favor of the plaintiff.

2. to make a judgment or determine a preference; come to a conclusion.

decide British  

/ dɪˈsaɪd /

verb

1. (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

2. (tr) to cause (a person) to reach a decision

   the weather decided me against going

3. (tr) to determine or settle (a contest or question)

   he decided his future plans

4. (tr) to influence decisively the outcome of (a contest or question)

   Borg's stamina decided the match

5. (intr; foll by for or against) to pronounce a formal verdict

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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

• decider noun
• predecide verb (used with object)
• redecide verb

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”; -cide ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

“I remember my mom saying in those early days when Daddy died: ‘You have to get up and decide and do,’” Savannah Guthrie said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Moriarty, who has been leading the investigations, has decided not to seek reelection and will leave office at the end of the year.

From Salon

Given that she is an influencer and her career calls for hours of phone time, Curley decided to inspect her neck.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kraft Heinz’s former CEO, Carlos Abrams-Rivera, and its board decided last summer that the best path was to split the company, separating its global condiments and North America grocery businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

France has, however, denied yielding to any US pressure, saying it had decided to invite Kenya this time.

From BBC

Related Words

• agree
• choose
• conclude
• determine
• elect
• end
• establish
• resolve
• rule
• select
• set
• vote