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decide definition

de·cide (dē sīd′, di-)

transitive verb decided -·cid′ed, deciding -·cid′·ing

  1. to end (a contest, dispute, etc.) by giving one side the victory or by passing judgment
  2. to make up one's mind, or reach a decision, about; determine to decide what to do
  3. to cause to reach a decision

Etymology: ME deciden < L decidere, to cut off, decide < de-, off, from + caedere, to cut: see -cide

intransitive verb

to arrive at a judgment, choice, or decision

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

decide Synonyms

decide

v.

settle, settle upon, fix upon, determine, judge, conclude, resolve, adjudge, adjudicate, mediate, conciliate, arbitrate, compromise, award, choose, elect, rule, vote, poll, form a resolution, settle in one's mind, make a decision, come to a conclusion, form an opinion, form a judgment, make up one's mind, make a selection, select, pick, make one's choice, commit oneself, draw a conclusion, come to an agreement, arrive at a conclusion, cast the die, fix on, have the final word, clinch; see also resolve 1.

Antonyms delay*, hesitate*, hedge.

decide implies the bringing to an end of vacillation, doubt, dispute, etc. by making up one's mind as to an action, course, or judgment; determine in addition suggests that the form, character, function, scope, etc. of something are precisely fixed the club decided on a lecture series and appointed a committee to determine the speakers, the dates, etc.; settle stresses finality in a decision, often one arrived at by arbitration, and implies the termination of all doubt or controversy; to conclude is to decide after careful investigation or reasoning; resolve implies either finding a solution to a problem to resolve a longing-standing issue or a firmness of intention to carry through a decision he resolved to lose 10 pounds


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

decide Usage Examples

Object

  • winner: It is extremely difficult to decide the winners from such a talented pool.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • on: When beginnning a card, pattern and color are often the first objectives to decide on.

Used with why or when

  • which: Here is our guide on how to decide which project is best for you.

Present participle complement

  • accord: That's a matter of policy and one on which democratically elected governments should decide according to their mandate.

Preposition: for

  • yourselves: You must decide for yourselves, or you will not be content.
decide usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

decide quotes

But I can't think for you, You'll have to decide, Whether Judas Iscariot Had God on his side.

-Dylan, Bob pseudonym of  Robert Allen Zimmerman

If Ihad to decidetoday,Iwould run.But Imaycometomy senses.

-Gramm, Phil (William Philip)

decide quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"decide." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/decide>

APA Style

decide. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/decide

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