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

“Do we leave it to individuals to decide that they are the intelligent ones who should have more kids?” he asked.

From Salon

Courts of law decide the areas of disagreement.

From Salon

“Your job as an actor is to understand all of the actions and not necessarily agree or disagree with them. That’s for the audience to decide, and that will change as the series goes on. You’re meant to sometimes agree with them and sometimes not. And I think that’s really beautiful.”

From Los Angeles Times

He said it’s important for L.A. officials to decide quickly because the MWD’s project is currently at least five years ahead of the city’s project.

From Los Angeles Times

They are analysing the game in real time, watching replays to better understand what they have just witnessed with their own eyes, processing data to decide how best to adapt and make the next move.

From BBC

Related Words

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