decide

de·cide

Use decide in a sentence

verb

To decide is defined as to conclude, settle or make a choice.

An example of to decide is for a jury to choose if a person is guilty or not guilty.
An example of to decide is to choose between pistachio and cookie dough ice cream.

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MLA Style

"decide." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide>.

APA Style

decide. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide

decide

transitive verb

-·cid′ed, -·cid′ing

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

Origin of decide

Middle English deciden from Classical Latin decidere, to cut off, decide from de-, off, from + caedere, to cut: see -cide

to arrive at a judgment, choice, or decision

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MLA Style

"decide." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide>.

APA Style

decide. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide

decide

verb

de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing, de·cides

verb

transitive

a. To reach a conclusion or form a judgment or opinion about (something) by reasoning or consideration: decide what to do.
b. To cause to make or reach a decision: “The presence of so many witnesses decided him at once to flee” ( Robert Louis Stevenson )
To settle conclusively all contention or uncertainty about: decide a case; decided the dispute in favor of the workers.
To influence or determine the outcome of: A few votes decided the election.

verb

intransitive

To pronounce a judgment; announce a verdict.
To reach a decision; make up one's mind.

Origin of decide

Middle English deciden from Old French decider from Latin dēcīdere to cut off, decide dē- de- caedere to cut ; see kaə-id- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

de·cid·a·bil′i·ty
noun

de·cid′a·ble
adjective

de·cid′er
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"decide." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide>.

APA Style

decide. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide

decide

decide determine settle rule conclude resolve

These verbs mean to come to a decision. Decide is the least specific: “If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each” (John Marshall). Determine often involves somewhat narrower issues: A jury will determine the verdict. Settle stresses finality of decision: “The lama waved a hand to show that the matter was finally settled in his mind” (Rudyard Kipling). Rule implies that the decision is handed down by someone in authority: The committee ruled that changes in the curriculum should be implemented. Conclude suggests that a decision, opinion, or judgment has been arrived at after careful consideration: She concluded that the criticism was unjust. Resolve stresses the exercise of choice in making a firm decision: I resolved to lose weight.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"decide." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 13 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide>.

APA Style

decide. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Decide

Verb

(third-person singular simple present decides, present participle deciding, simple past and past participle decided)

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.
To cause someone to come to a decision.