Definition of DECIDE

decide

Verb

Verb Forms: decided, deciding, decides

  • To make a choice or judgment after consideration.
  • reach, make, or come to a decision about something
    • "We finally decided after lengthy deliberations"
  • bring to an end; settle conclusively
    • "The case was decided"
    • "The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff"
  • cause to decide
    • "This new development finally decided me!"
  • influence or determine
    • "The vote in New Hampshire often decides the outcome of the Presidential election"
  • To resolve (a contest, problem, dispute, etc.); to choose, determine, or settle.
  • To make a judgment, especially after deliberation.
  • To cause someone to come to a decision.
  • Of a Turing machine: to return a correct answer (for some yes-or-no problem) on every possible input.
  • To cut off; to separate.

Examples

  • He had to DECIDE between two high-scoring plays in his Words With Friends game.
  • Her last-minute goal decided the game.
  • I have decided that it is healthier to walk to work.
  • It was decided to meet here at midnight.
  • No Turing Machine can decide the halting problem.
  • The election will be decided on foreign policies.
  • You must decide between good and evil.
  • Your admonition decided me against my intended course of action.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English deciden, from Old French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, infinitive of dēcīdō (“cut off, decide”), from dē (“down from”) + caedō (“cut”).

Synonyms

adjudicate, determine, make up one's mind, resolve, settle, choose, elect, pick

Scrabble Score: 10

decide: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
decide: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
decide: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

decide: valid Words With Friends Word