decide

[ dih-sahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing.

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.

verb (used without object)

, de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing.

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

/ 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

Other Words From

• de·cider noun
• prede·cide verb (used with object) predecided predeciding
• rede·cide verb redecided redeciding

Word History and Origins

Origin of decide¹

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 ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of decide¹

C14: from Old French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, literally: to cut off, from caedere to cut

Example Sentences

“So I decided, after more than 10 years, to put our collaboration to an end.”

From Science Magazine

He has also raised in his defence the fact that the DoJ ended a separate three-year, federal sex-trafficking investigation last year by deciding not to bring charges against him.

From BBC

In 2021, Lord Prescott revealed he had since decided to make his “own small contribution to cutting carbon emissions”.

From BBC

When they're in their world, they become more beautiful, but when they step outside of that world, the world wants to tell them how unattractive they are, until one day they decide, "We are beautiful."

From Salon

Lee said he decided to post a response because he saw a video alleging that someone was hospitalized after eating at FOB Sushi Bar per his recommendation.

From Salon

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.