determination
gb/dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/ us/dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
property
1
firmness of purpose
The ability to keep trying to do something, even when it is hard.
Usage pattern:
[someone] shows determination to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'determination' with 'decision'; 'determination' is about persistence, not just choosing something.
Synonyms
resolve (Very close in meaning; often slightly more formal or literary.)
|
perseverance (Focuses more on continuing effort over time despite challenges.)
Antonyms
indecision (Opposite in that it means not being able to decide or commit.)
|
weakness (Suggests a lack of strength to continue pursuing a goal.)
Collocations
strong determination
|show determination
|with determination
|drive and determination
Themes
emotions
|personal development
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her determination to finish the race inspired everyone.
- He showed great determination in learning the new language.
- With determination, they rebuilt their home after the storm.
- Success takes hard work and determination.
- His determination never wavered despite repeated failures.
Learner examples
- She has strong determination to win.
- He works with great determination.
- I need determination to finish this job.
- With determination, you can do it.
- They showed determination in the game.
Noun
B2
entity
2
official decision or conclusion
A final decision made after thinking about something carefully.
Usage pattern:
a determination of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'estimate'; here it means a decision, not a guess.
Synonyms
finding (Common in legal or investigative contexts; refers to a result of an inquiry.)
|
decision (More general; can be less formal than 'determination'.)
Antonyms
uncertainty (Lack of a final decision or conclusion.)
Collocations
court determination
|make a determination
|final determination
Themes
law
|business
|science
|politics
Examples
- The court's determination was that the contract was valid.
- A determination of guilt was made by the jury.
- The scientist's determination of the cause took months.
- We await the board's determination on the proposal.
Learner examples
- The judge made a determination.
- We wait for the final determination.
- The team made a determination about the plan.
- Her determination was that he was wrong.
Noun
technical
C1
action
3
process of exact finding
The act of finding out something exactly by measuring, calculating, or studying.
Usage pattern:
determination of [measurement/quantity/value]
Synonyms
measurement (Focuses on quantifying something; more specific than 'determination'.)
|
assessment (Broader; can be less exact than 'determination'.)
Antonyms
guess (An answer without careful calculation or measurement.)
Collocations
determination of value
|determination of cause
|accurate determination
Themes
science
|mathematics
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The determination of chemical purity is essential in this experiment.
- Accurate determination of distance is important in surveying.
- We used GPS for precise position determination.
Learner examples
- The scientist made a determination of the weight.
- We need a determination of the size.
- He works on the determination of speed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
determination
IPA
GB/dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
US/dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
de - term - in - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: determination
- Plural: determination, determinations
Word family
Forms
determinations
noun
Core family
determine
verb B1
determined
adjective
Related words
determinedly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
undetermined
adjective
indeterminate
adjective
Advanced or less common
determinate
adjective
deterministic
adjective C1
Expressions
make a determination
1/mˈeɪk ə dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
reach an official decision
To decide something officially after thinking carefully about it.
Examples
- The committee will make a determination next week.
- We must make a determination based on the evidence.
show determination
1/ʃˈoʊ dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
display persistence and purpose
To act in a way that makes people see you will not give up.
Examples
- They showed determination during the competition.
- He showed determination despite the difficulties.
with determination
1/wˈɪθ dɪtˌɚmənˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
in a persistent way
In a way that shows you will not give up.
Examples
- She faced the challenge with determination.
- He worked with determination to meet the deadline.