decide
Formsdecides, deciding, decided
- 1To make up your mind about something after thinking it over.
Like making up your mind which road to take after studying a map.
After hours of talking, the jury finally decided.
I still can't decide between the two job offers.
UsageSay decide to do something, decide between two things, or decide on one.
Similarchoose, conclude, resolve
Oppositehesitate, waver, dither
Note
- 2To settle a question, contest, or argument, or determine its outcome.
Like a judge picking the winner so the game can finally end.
A judge will decide the case after hearing both sides.
A single vote decided the whole election.
UsageThe thing that settles it can come first: one goal decided the game.
- 3To make someone finally choose one way or another.
Like one last reason that tips the scales and makes a person choose.
I wasn't sure about the job, but the friendly team decided me.
One look at the puppy's face was enough to decide me.
UsageThe reason comes first and the person after: the puppy decided me.
Similarsway, persuade, convince
Note
Less common meanings
- 4To cut something off, or to break one thing apart from another.
Our seat denies us traffic here; / The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.
1642, Thomas Fuller, The Holy StateHere, decides means cuts off or separates us from the rest.Note
- 5In computing, to always answer yes or no correctly, whatever input is given.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin dēcīdere meaning "cut off, decide," from dē "down from" and caedō "cut." It came into English through French.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- English decide derives from Latin dēcīdere through French. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin dēcīdere means “cut off, decide.” en.wiktionary.org
- The Latin verb is formed from dē and caedō, meaning “down from” and “cut.” en.wiktionary.org
- The word came into English through French. en.wiktionary.org