Definition of decisive
1 : having the power or quality of deciding The council president cast the decisive vote. a decisive battle
2 : resolute, determined a decisive manner decisive leaders a decisive editor
3 : unmistakable, unquestionable a decisive superiority
decisively
adverbdecisiveness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of decisive in a Sentence
You must be decisive and persistent to succeed in this competitive field.
I stood there wondering what to do, but my sister was more decisive and immediately went to the phone.
The fight ended with a decisive blow.
the decisive battle of the war
The poverty of his childhood played a decisive role in his adult life.
The meeting is seen as a decisive step toward a peace treaty.
1584
First Known Use of decisive
1584
Synonym Discussion of decisive
DECISIVE Defined for English Language Learners
decisive
playDefinition of decisive for English Language Learners
-
: able to make choices quickly and confidently
-
: causing something to end in a particular way : determining what the result of something will be
-
: very clear and obvious
DECISIVE Defined for Kids
decisive
playDefinition of decisive for Students
1 : causing something to end in a certain way The lawyer offered decisive proof.
2 : unmistakable, unquestionable a decisive victory
3 : firmly determined He began in a decisive manner.
decisively
adverbLearn More about decisive
-
See words that rhyme with decisive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for decisive Spanish Central: Translation of decisive Nglish: Translation of decisive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of decisive for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up decisive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!