First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
decide
verb de·cide \di-ˈsīd, dē-\
: to make a choice about (something) : to choose (something) after thinking about it
: to choose whether or not to believe (something) after thinking about it : to reach a conclusion about (something) because of evidence
: to cause (something) to end in a particular way : to determine what the result of (something) will be
de·cid·edde·cid·ing
Full Definition of DECIDE
transitive verb
1
a : to make a final choice or judgment about <decide what to do> 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 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>
— de·cid·abil·i·ty \di-ˌsī-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— de·cid·able \di-ˈsī-də-bəl\ adjective
— de·cid·er noun
See decide defined for English-language learners
See decide defined for kids
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Origin of DECIDE
Middle English, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut
Related to DECIDE
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with DECIDE
abide, allied, applied, aside, astride, backside, backslide, bankside, beachside, bedside, beside, bestride, betide, blear-eyed, blindside, blow-dried, blue-eyed, broadside, bromide, bug-eyed, Burnside, clear-eyed, cockeyed, cold-eyed, collide, confide, courtside, cowhide, cross-eyed, curbside, dayside, deride, divide, dockside, doe-eyed, downside, downslide, dry-eyed, ebb tide, elide, field guide, fireside, flip side, flood tide, fluoride, foreside, four-eyed, free ride, freeze-dried, Girl Guide, glass-eyed, graveside, green-eyed, hagride, hang glide, hard-eyed, hawkeyed, hayride, high tide, hillside, horsehide, inside, in stride, ironside, joyride, kingside, lakeside, landslide, low tide, lynx-eyed, misguide, moon-eyed, neap tide, nearside, nightside, noontide, offside, onside, outride, outside, pie-eyed, poolside, pop-eyed, preside, prompt side, provide, quayside, queenside, rawhide, red tide, reside, ringside, riptide, roadside, seaside, self-pride, sharp-eyed, shipside, shoreside, Shrovetide, sloe-eyed, snowslide, springtide, squint-eyed, stateside, statewide, storewide, Strathclyde, streamside, strong side, subside, tailslide, tongue-tied, topside, trackside, trailside, untried, upside, vat-dyed, walleyed, war bride, waveguide, wayside, wide-eyed, wild-eyed, worldwide, yuletide
DECIDE Defined for Kids
decide
verb de·cide \di-ˈsīd\
de·cid·edde·cid·ing
Definition of DECIDE for Kids
1
: to make a judgment on <The judge decided the case.>
2
: to bring to an end in a particular way <One vote could decide the election.>
3
: to make a choice especially after careful thought <We decided to go.>
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