decide

decideverb

To decide is to make a choice, or to make a result certain, so that there is no more doubt about it.

1. make a choicechoose what to do or what is true after thinking about the possibilities

   Decide on means choose one thing from several; decide against means choose not to do or have something.

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + to-infinitive [V + to-inf] verb + that-clause [V + that] verb + wh-clause [V + wh] verb + wh-word + to-infinitive [V + wh + to-inf] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • We decided to stay at home. V + to-inf
   • She decided that the job wasn't right for her. V + that
   • Have you decided what to wear? V + wh + to-inf
   • I can't decide between the red one and the blue one. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition decide on something, decide against something, decide between things

   adverb + verb finally decide, suddenly decide

   phrase have to decide, can't decide, decide for yourself

   Synonyms choose; elect

   Compare make up (make up your mind is more informal)

2. settle a resultbe the thing that makes the result of something certain

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + wh-clause [V + wh]

   • One late goal decided the game. V + obj
   • The weather will decide whether we eat outside. V + wh
   • Her experience decided it: she got the job. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun decide a game, decide an election, decide the outcome

   phrase decide the result of something

3. judge officiallygive an official judgment about a legal case or an argument

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] law

   • The court will decide the case next month. V + obj
   • The judge decided in favor of the tenant. V + prep + obj
   • A committee will decide the matter. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun decide a case, decide a matter, decide a question

   verb + preposition decide in favor of someone, decide against someone