decide
gb/dɪsˈaɪd/ us/dɪsˈaɪd/
A2
English
~ 500
dönt, eldönt, elbírál
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to decide [something]
After hours of discussion, they finally decided on the restaurant.
Órákig tartó megbeszélés után végül eldöntötték, melyik étterembe mennek.
I can't decide whether to take the job offer or not.
Nem tudom eldönteni, elfogadjam-e az állásajánlatot vagy sem.
We decided to stay home because of the rain.
She decided against buying the expensive dress.
He decided for himself without asking anyone.
Learner examples
I decided to eat pizza for lunch.
Úgy döntöttem, pizzát eszem ebédre.
She decided on the blue shirt.
A kék ing mellett döntött.
They decided to go to the park.
We decided against going to the party.
He decided for himself.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'decide' with 'make a decision'. 'Decide' is the verb form, while 'decision' is the noun.
Meaning
Make a choice after thinking
Collocations
decide whether
|decide to go
|decide on a plan
|decide against
|decide for yourself
Synonyms
choose (More general; can be without much thought.)
|
determine (Slightly more formal; implies a definite conclusion.)
Antonyms
hesitate (Means to pause or be uncertain instead of making a choice.)
|
waver (Means to go back and forth without deciding.)
Themes
daily life
|decision-making
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To choose something after thinking about it.
To choose one option from several after careful thought or consideration.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to decide [a case/dispute]
The court will decide the case next week.
A bíróság jövő héten dönt az ügyben.
The referee decided in favor of the home team.
A játékvezető a hazai csapat javára döntött.
A panel of experts will decide which proposal is best.
The board decided against the merger.
Only the judge can decide on this matter.
Learner examples
The court will decide the case tomorrow.
A bíróság holnap dönt az ügyben.
The teacher decided who won the game.
A tanár döntött arról, ki nyerte a játékot.
The judge decided in favor of her.
The manager will decide on the project soon.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'decide to do something'. Here, 'decide' often takes an object like 'case' or 'dispute'.
Meaning
Settle by judgment or authority
Collocations
decide a case
|decide the outcome
|decide in favor of
|decide against someone
Synonyms
rule (Common in legal contexts; implies formal judgment.)
|
adjudge (Formal legal term for making an official decision.)
Antonyms
defer (To postpone making a decision.)
Themes
law
|business
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To end a problem or argument by giving an official answer.
To make an official or authoritative judgment that resolves a disagreement or question.
Grammar
Dictionary form
decide
IPA
GB/dɪsˈaɪd/
US/dɪsˈaɪd/
Syllables & stress
de - cide (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cide)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: decide
- 3rd Person Singular: decides
- Present Participle: deciding
- Past: decided
Word family
Expressions
decide against
1/dɪsˈaɪd əɡˈɛnst/
phrasal verb
Choose not to do something
To choose not to do something after thinking about it.
Examples
- We decided against going to the beach because it looked like rain.
- He decided against buying the new phone.
decide on
1/dɪsˈaɪd ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Choose from options
To choose something from many possible things.
Examples
- They haven't decided on a name for the baby yet.
- She decided on the red dress for the party.
make up your mind
1/mˈeɪk ˈʌp jˈʊɹ mˈaɪnd/
idiom
Decide after thinking
To choose what to do after thinking about it.
Examples
- You need to make up your mind about which car to buy.
- It’s time to make up your mind about which job to take.
- She finally made up her mind to move abroad.
- I can’t make up my mind between tea and coffee.