decide
verb (transitive)
UK/dɪˈsaɪd/US/dɪˈsaɪd/
To determine the outcome or course of something.
Example Sentences
The jury decided the defendant was guilty based on the evidence presented.
She decided the best course of action was to seek professional advice.
After reviewing all the facts, they decided to implement the new policy.
The board decided to expand the company's operations into international markets.
He decided to let go of past grievances and move forward.
They decided the project was too risky and chose to abandon it.
The leader decided to address the concerns raised by the community.
Based on the data, the scientists decided to pursue further research in that area.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Choose or determine something after pondering or comparing options.As a verb, “decide” signals making a choice or arriving at a conclusion. You might say, “She needs to decide which course to take,” implying careful thought about the options. In everyday scenarios, it helps clarify the act of finalizing a plan or preference, like deciding on a restaurant or a meeting time. Grammatically, pair it with the subject doing the choosing (“I decided to stay home,” “He decided on the blue shirt”), showing who’s responsible for the outcome. “Decide on” or “decide between” highlight the specific options or course of action. Whether it’s a minor or significant matter, “decide” underscores a turning point—once you decide, you commit to one path among many. In more formal contexts, it can express the conclusion of a process: “The court will decide on the case next week,” pointing to an authoritative ruling or resolution. Whether casual or formal, add context—like factors influencing the decision (“time constraints,” “budget,” “preferences”)—to paint a clear picture of why someone decides in a certain direction.
Alternatives
If you need synonyms or related verbs, consider “choose,” “determine,” or “resolve.” “Choose” fits everyday selections—“Choose which color you want.” “Determine” can stress analysis or ruling: “We determined it wasn’t worth the risk.” “Resolve” sometimes leans toward firm intentions or problem-solving: “They resolved to save more money.” For more casual emphasis on the final step of decision-making, “pick” or “settle on” might fit, as in “They picked a new design” or “She settled on the local college.” Meanwhile, “opt for” can highlight a thoughtful choice: “We opted for a smaller wedding.” Each alternative clarifies how the speaker frames the act of selection, whether it’s an everyday preference, a firm conclusion, or an analytical choice. Using varied synonyms helps you avoid repetition and capture slight differences in tone—“decide” is direct and general, “resolve” is resolute, “choose” is common and friendly, and “determine” is more formal or technical.
Writing
When writing, “decide” propels your narrative or argument forward by highlighting the moment of choice. In an essay, you might stress a turning point—“He decided to pursue law after extensive research.” In fiction, “decide” can mark critical plot junctures—“She decided, at last, to confront her fears.” If you’re crafting an instructional piece, it can mark the final step in a process—“After evaluating the costs, decide which plan fits best.” Use it to emphasize a shift from indecision to commitment; the storyline or argument often gains momentum once a character or group decides. Avoid overusing it by rotating synonyms (“choose,” “determine,” “opt”). Flesh out the rationale behind the decision (“We decided to expand our product line to meet market demand”), explaining what changed or what influences factored into the conclusion. Such detail conveys logic, emotion, or necessity behind each choice, giving readers insight into motivations and consequences. Especially in persuasive or explanatory writing, showing why something was decided can enhance clarity and impact. The act of deciding is a pivot—be sure to show the stakes, context, or potential outcomes, and your writing will feel purposeful, guiding readers through the logic of the moment where possibility turns into action.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “decide” naturally appears whenever you’re finalizing plans—“Can you decide what we’ll have for dinner?” or “I decided to take a nap instead of going out.” It’s direct and covers small and large choices alike. Friends may say, “Have you decided about the trip yet?” to check if you’ve locked in a decision. If you sense that repeating “decide” becomes repetitive, switch to simpler synonyms like “pick,” “choose,” or “go with.” Sometimes you’ll see “I can’t decide” as a common expression of indecision. “Make up your mind” is a casual idiom that conveys a similar meaning. Whether you’re concluding a day’s plans or big life decisions, “decide” in casual talk highlights how the final call gets made, typically after some light deliberation. Keep context minimal—most daily choices don’t demand heavy explanation, so lines like “I finally decided—let’s watch the new action movie” stay short, sweet, and to the point.
Etymology
From the Latin “decidere,” meaning “to cut off” or “to settle,” “decide” harks back to the idea of severing other options to confirm one choice. The Latin root combines “de-” (down, away) with “caedere” (to cut), reflecting the concept of slicing away doubts or alternatives. Over centuries, it evolved into Middle English via Old French, yet retained that original sense of decisively putting an end to uncertainty. Today, we use “decide” for everything from minor preferences (“I decided on a latte”) to life-changing resolutions (“She decided to change careers”). The historical sense of “cutting away” remains central—when you decide, you eliminate other paths and firmly set your direction, signifying a boundary or commitment to one outcome. That logic of separation or finalizing continues to inform how we talk about choice-making across contexts, from everyday tasks to major legal or personal judgments.