decide
dih-SYD
Decide (verb) means to make a choice or judgment after thinking something over. Example: “Take your time to decide what you want from the menu.”
verb
1
To make a choice or judgment after thinking something over.
"Take your time to decide what you want from the menu."
"We decided to postpone the trip until next spring."
"It took her weeks to decide which university to attend."
2
To settle or determine the outcome of something, such as a dispute or contest.
"A coin toss will decide the winner if the scores stay level."
"The judges met for an hour to decide which team deserved the trophy."
"A single penalty kick decided the match."
How to use decide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo choose between options, or to settle how something will turn out.
Common pairings
decide to do something
decide on
decide against
decide the outcome
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- decides
- Past tense
- decided
- Archaic forms
- decidest, decideth, decidedst
Fill the gap
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Take your time to _____ what you want from the menu.
Etymology
From Latin decidere, "to cut off, settle" — from de- ("off") + caedere ("to cut").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
rush to judgement
jump to conclusions
Related words
Rhymes for decide
See all rhymes for decide →Frequently asked questions
What does “decide” mean?
The word “decide” means to make a choice or judgment after thinking something over. In plain terms, to choose between options, or to settle how something will turn out.
How do you pronounce “decide”?
“Decide” is pronounced dih-SYD (/dɪˈsaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “decide” in a sentence?
Here is “decide” used in a sentence: “We decided to postpone the trip until next spring.”
What is another word for “decide”?
Words with a similar meaning to “decide” include choose up, determine, find, judge, posken and make a decision.
What is the opposite of “decide”?
The opposite of “decide” — its antonyms — are rush to judgement and jump to conclusions.
What part of speech is “decide”?
“Decide” is a verb.
Where does the word “decide” come from?
The word “decide” comes from Latin. From Latin decidere, "to cut off, settle" — from de- ("off") + caedere ("to cut").
Is “decide” a common word?
“Decide” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between decide and choose?
To choose is to pick from available options, like choosing a dish from a menu. To decide is to reach a firm conclusion after thinking, and it may not involve set choices at all — you can decide that something is true, or decide to act. Deciding stresses judgment and finality.
What is the difference between decide and determine?
The two overlap, but 'determine' is more formal and definite. It can mean to establish a fact ('determine the cause') or to resolve firmly ('determined to win'). 'Decide' is the everyday word for making a choice or settling a question after thought. Determination often implies stronger resolve than deciding.
What is the noun form of 'decide'?
The main noun is 'decision,' meaning the choice or conclusion you reach. Related words include 'decisiveness' (the quality of deciding firmly and quickly) and the adjective 'decisive.' Someone who struggles to decide is called 'indecisive,' and the act itself is 'decision-making.'
What is the opposite of decide?
There's no single antonym, but opposites include 'hesitate,' 'waver,' 'dither,' and 'delay' — all meaning to hold back from reaching a conclusion. 'Postpone' fits when you put the choice off, while 'reconsider' means to rethink a decision you've already made.
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