decisive

de·ci·sive

Use decisive in a sentence

adjective

The definition of decisive is having the ability to make decisions or something that determines what comes next.

An example of decisive is a person who always makes up her mind firmly and quickly.
An example of decisive is the information gained from a student's success in the classes which they take to determine their interest in their major field of study.

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"decisive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive>.

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decisive. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive

decisive

that settles or can settle a dispute, question, etc.; conclusive: decisive evidence
determining or closely affecting what comes next; critically important; crucial: a decisive moment in his career
having the quality of decision; showing determination or firmness: a decisive tone of voice

Origin of decisive

Medieval Latin decisivus from Classical Latin decisus: see decision

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MLA Style

"decisive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive>.

APA Style

decisive. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive

decisive

adjective

Settling a matter or conflict; conclusive: the decisive battle in the war; the decisive piece of evidence in the lawsuit.
Characterized by or showing the ability to make decisions quickly and firmly; resolute: a decisive leader.

Related Forms:

de·ci′sive·ly
adverb

de·ci′sive·ness
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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MLA Style

"decisive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive>.

APA Style

decisive. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive

decisive

decisive conclusive crucial definitive determinative

These adjectives mean determining or having the power to determine an outcome: the decisive vote; a conclusive reason; crucial experiments; a definitive verdict; the determinative battle.

Antonym: indecisive

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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MLA Style

"decisive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive>.

APA Style

decisive. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive

Adjective

(comparative more decisive, superlative most decisive)

Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive.
A decisive battle is fatal for one side's war chances
Marked by promptness and decision.
A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive character. -J. Foster.

Related terms

Origin

From Middle French décisif

See also: décisive

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"decisive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 18 December 2018. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive>.

APA Style

decisive. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18th, 2018, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/decisive

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