decide

"Decide" is a very common and useful English verb. It has a couple of closely related meanings, all centered around the idea of making a choice or reaching a conclusion. Here's what you need to know.

1verbmake a choice

When you think about your options and then choose one of them, you decide. Imagine you are looking at a menu — after thinking about what you want, you pick one dish. That moment of choosing is when you decide.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She decided to study medicine instead of law.

We couldn't decide which movie to watch, so we flipped a coin.

Have you decided where you want to go for your holiday?

2verbsettle a question or outcome

Sometimes 'decide' means that something — not just a person — determines the final result of a situation. Think of a football match where one goal in the last minute settles who wins. That goal decided the game.

everyday language, sports, law · Modern, widely used

The last penalty kick decided the match.

The judge's ruling decided the case in favor of the defendant.

One bad storm decided the fate of the entire harvest.

3verbfigurativecause someone to make up their mind

Sometimes an event or piece of information is the thing that finally pushes you to a decision. You were unsure, and then something happened that made the choice clear. In this sense, that thing 'decided' you.

everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

The low price decided me — I bought the car immediately.

Seeing how happy she was there decided him to move to the city.

It was the warm welcome from the team that decided her to accept the job offer.