Definition of decide
Etymology
From French décider or Latin decidere ‘cut off, decide', from de- + caedere ‘cut'.
Pronunciation
Verb
to decide (third-person singular simple present decides, present participle deciding, simple past and past participle decided)
- (transitive) To resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle.
The election will be decided on foreign policies.
We must decide our next move.
Her last-minute goal decided the game.
- (intransitive) To make a judgment, especially after deliberation.
You must decide between good and evil.
I have decided that it is healthier to walk to work.
- (transitive) To cause someone to come to a decision.
* 1920, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "The Adventure of the Three Gables" (Norton edition, 2005, p. 1537),
It decides me to look into the matter, for if it is worth anyone's while to take so much trouble, there must be something in it.
Usage notes
- This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive.
Synonyms
- make up one's mind
- choose
- determine
Related terms
Anagrams
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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