decide

verb

de·​cide di-ˈsīd 

dē-

decided; deciding; decides

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a final choice or judgment about

decide what to do

couldn't decide whether to take the job or not

b

: to select as a course of action

—used with an infinitive

decided to go

c

: to infer on the basis of evidence : conclude

They decided that he was right.

2

: to fix the course or outcome of (something)

The Dodge teeters on the rear wheels, hanging there, as the hand of gravity decides my fate.

—Larry Webster

It is an imprecise science, but one that ultimately may decide the course of this and many seasons to come.

—Steve Hummer

especially : to bring to a definitive end

one blow decided the fight

3

: to induce to come to a choice

her pleas decided him to help

intransitive verb

: to make a choice or judgment

decide on where to go

decider

di-ˈsī-dər 

dē-

noun

plural deciders

Synonyms

• choose
• opt
• determine
• figure
• resolve

Choose the Right Synonym for decide

decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion.

decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy.

she decided to sell her house

determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.

determined the cause of the problem

settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty.

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority.

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something.

he resolved to quit smoking

Examples of decide in a Sentence

He decided that dinner would be at 7 o'clock, and asked guests to arrive at 6.

She is having difficulty deciding about the offer.

They decided that he was right.

I am trying to decide if it's warm enough for swimming.

“Do you think she is telling the truth?” “I'm not sure. I'm still trying to decide.”

A few hundred votes could decide the election.

One blow decided the fight.

This battle could very well decide the war.

Will the business be successful? Let the public decide.

The case will be decided by the Supreme Court.

Recent Examples on the Web

Officers almost approached Ellis a couple of minutes later, but decided to wait for other officers to arrive, according to the footage. —Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Alphabet’s Google does not have to sell its Chrome web browser but must share some of its search and other data with competitors, a federal judge decided in the Justice Department’s landmark case against the search giant. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

This jury of your (in some cases very pissed off) peers is here to decide whether Alexe and Andrew should head to the finals alone — or if one other couple should join them. —Kristen Baldwin September 2, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Tisdel also raised the possibility that House Democrats may have decided to vote against his legislation as a show of strength to Hall, signaling that the House Speaker can't ignore them. —Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deciden, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French decider, borrowed from Latin dēcīdere "to cut off, cut out, mark by cutting, settle, choose as a course of action," from dē- de- + caedere "to strike, beat, kill, fell (trees, etc.), cut off or through" — more at concise

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing decide

• decide against
• decide between
• decide for oneself
• decide in favor of/for
• decide on/upon

Rhymes for decide

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

decide

verb

de·​cide di-ˈsīd 

decided; deciding

1

: to give a judgment on

decided the case in favor of the person accused

2

: to bring to a final end

one blow decided the fight

3

: to cause to come to a choice or judgment

their appeals decided me to give generously

4

: to make a choice or judgment

decided to go

decidable

-ˈsīd-ə-bəl 

adjective

decider noun

Legal Definition

decide

verb

de·​cide

decided; deciding

transitive verb

: to determine (as a case or issue) by making a decision (as a final judgment) : adjudicate sense 1 compare find, hold

intransitive verb

: to make a decision