4 VERB If you decide that something is true, you form that opinion about it after considering the facts. □ [V that] He decided Franklin must be suffering from a bad cold. □ [V wh] I couldn't decide whether he was incredibly brave or just insane.
5 VERB If something decides you to do something, it is the reason that causes you to choose to do it. □ [V n to-inf] The banning of his play decided him to write about censorship. □ [V n] I don't know what finally decided her, but she agreed. [Also V n that]
▸ decide on PHRASAL VERB If you decide on something or decide upon something, you choose it from two or more possibilities. □ [V P n] After leaving university, Therese decided on a career in publishing.
de|cid|ed /d I sa I d I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] Decided means clear and definite. □ Her ignorance of the area put her at a decided disadvantage.
de|cid|ed|ly /d I sa I d I dli/ ADV Decidedly means to a great extent and in a way that is very obvious. □ Sometimes he is decidedly uncomfortable at what he sees on the screen.
de|cid|er /d I sa I də r / (deciders )
1 N‑COUNT In sport, a decider is one of the games in a series, which establishes which player or team wins the series. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ He won the decider which completed England's 3–2 victory over Austria.
2 N‑COUNT In games such as football and hockey, the decider is the last goal to be scored in a match that is won by a difference of only one goal. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ McGrath scored the decider in Villa's 2–1 home win over Forest.
de|cidu|ous /d I s I dʒuəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A deciduous tree or bush is one that loses its leaves in the autumn every year.
deci|mal /de s I m ə l/ (decimals )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A decimal system involves counting in units of ten. □ …the decimal system of metric weights and measures.
2 N‑COUNT A decimal is a fraction that is written in the form of a dot followed by one or more numbers which represent tenths, hundredths, and so on: for example .5, .51, .517. □ …simple math concepts, such as decimals and fractions.
de ci|mal poi nt (decimal points ) N‑COUNT A decimal point is the dot in front of a decimal fraction.
deci|mate /de s I me I t/ (decimates , decimating , decimated )
1 VERB To decimate something such as a group of people or animals means to destroy a very large number of them. □ [V n] The pollution could decimate the river's thriving population of kingfishers.
2 VERB To decimate a system or organization means to reduce its size and effectiveness greatly. □ [V n] …a recession which decimated the nation's manufacturing industry.
de|ci|pher /d I sa I fə r / (deciphers , deciphering , deciphered ) VERB If you decipher a piece of writing or a message, you work out what it says, even though it is very difficult to read or understand. □ [V n] I'm still no closer to deciphering the code.
de|ci|sion ◆◆◆ /d I s I ʒ ə n/ (decisions )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] When you make a decision , you choose what should be done or which is the best of various possible actions. □ [+ on ] A decision was taken to discipline Marshall. □ I don't want to make the wrong decision and regret it later.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Decision is the act of deciding something or the need to decide something. □ The moment of decision cannot be delayed.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Decision is the ability to decide quickly and definitely what to do. □ He is very much a man of decision and action. COLLOCATIONS decision NOUN 1
adjective + decision : correct, right, wrong; difficult, easy, hard, tough; controversial, unpopular; informed; unanimous; conscious
verb + decision : come to, make, reach, take; announce; reverse, overrule, overturn
deci sion-making N‑UNCOUNT Decision-making is the process of reaching decisions, especially in a large organization or in government.
de|ci|sive /d I sa I s I v/
1 ADJ If a fact, action, or event is decisive , it makes it certain that there will be a particular result. □ …his decisive victory in the presidential elections. ● de|ci|sive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ The plan was decisively rejected by Congress three weeks ago.
2 ADJ If someone is decisive , they have or show an ability to make quick decisions in a difficult or complicated situation. □ He should give way to a younger, more decisive leader. ● de|ci|sive|ly ADV □ 'I'll call for you at half ten,' she said decisively. ● de|ci|sive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ His supporters admire his decisiveness.
deck ◆◇◇ /de k/ (decks , decking , decked )
1 N‑COUNT A deck on a vehicle such as a bus or ship is a lower or upper area of it. □ …a luxury liner with five passenger decks.
2 → see also flight deck
3 N‑COUNT [oft on N ] The deck of a ship is the top part of it that forms a floor in the open air which you can walk on. □ She stood on the deck and waved.
4 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A tape deck or record deck is a piece of equipment on which you play tapes or records. □ I stuck a tape in the deck.
5 N‑COUNT A deck of cards is a complete set of playing cards. [AM ] □ Matt picked up the cards and shuffled the deck. in BRIT, usually use pack 6 N‑COUNT A deck is a flat wooden area next to a house, where people can sit and relax or eat. □ A natural timber deck leads into the main room of the home.