decided

adjective

de·​cid·​ed di-ˈsī-dəd How to pronounce decided (audio)
dē-
1
: unquestionable
holds a decided advantage over the competition
His most popular hat … has a medium-width brim with a decided curl.Greg Tasker
speaks with a decided lisp
2
: free from doubt or wavering
has decided ideas on politics
decidedly adverb
decidedness noun

Examples of decided in a Sentence

a decided hint of perfume on her skin
Recent Examples on the Web They’re confined to a pre-decided go-zone. Hannah Fry, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2018 One Westbrook strength is a decided Clippers weakness: availability. Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023 Once the Ravens opted to rest several key players last week against the Bengals in Cincinnati and the hosts took an early lead, the game’s outcome became more or less decided. Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2023 If a young chimpanzee be tickled—and the armpits are particularly sensitive to tickling, as in the case of our children—a more decided chuckling or laughing sound is uttered, though the laughter is sometimes noiseless. Kat McGowan, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2012 In a battle royale shooter, for instance, a small group of players communicating outside the game could stay together and gain a decided firepower advantage against their single opponents. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 28 Nov. 2022 Plans for improving transportation and student safety, in particular, are more or less decided. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 June 2022 The tinga had a decided chile pepper bite, but it was augmented with the most tantalizing sweetness, the kind that lingers just beneath the principal flavors, unobtrusive but essential. Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2022 There's a decided and familiar lack of subtlety, too. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decided.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of decide

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of decided was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near decided

Cite this Entry

“Decided.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decided. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

decided

adjective
1
: unmistakable, clear
a decided advantage
2
: free from doubt : firm entry 1
a decided tone of voice
decidedly adverb
decidedness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on decided

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