/ dɪˈsaɪd; NAmE / verb
1.
decide (between A and B) | decide (against sth) to think carefully about the different possibilities that are available and choose one of them :
[ v ]
It was difficult to decide between the two candidates.
They decided against taking legal action.
It's up to you to decide.
[ v wh- ]
I can't decide what to wear.
[ v ( that )]
She decided (that) she wanted to live in France.
[ v to inf ]
We've decided not to go away after all.
[ vn ]
We might be hiring more people but nothing has been decided yet.
[ vn ( that )]
It was decided (that) the school should purchase new software.
2.
( law ) decide (for / against sb) to make an official or legal judgement :
[ vn ]
The case will be decided by a jury.
[ v ]
The Appeal Court decided in their favour .
It is always possible that the judge may decide against you.
3.
to affect the result of sth :
[ vn ]
A mixture of skill and good luck decided the outcome of the game.
[ v wh- ]
A number of factors decide whether a movie will be successful or not.
[also v ]
4.
to be the reason why sb does sth :
[ vn ]
They offered me free accommodation for a year, and that decided me.
[also vn to inf ]
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- decide on / upon sth
••
WORD FAMILY
decide verb
decision noun (≠ indecision )
decisive adjective (≠ indecisive )
undecided adjective
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense bring to a settlement ): from French décider , from Latin decidere determine, from de- off + caedere cut.