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

specifically, law : to determine (as a case or issue) after consideration of the facts or law

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 of decide

• 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

Is Dunk, after all this, going to decide to save this kid who is just going to be thrown to the wolves otherwise? —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

Some have decided that AI is either simply fake (this is not the experience of the software engineers now using it at remarkable scale), while others have substantive qualms about its impact on culture, politics, and labor that seem to be captured in support for local opposition to data centers. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026

The couple joined the fight and decided a baby would have to wait. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026

The 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps will stage events in the Alps and Nice, on the Mediterranean Sea, while speedskating will be held abroad in a venue to be decided. —Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

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