WordGarden.iodecision
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dɪsˈɪʒən/
US
- /dɪˈsɪʒən/
Meanings
Noun
a choice or conclusion reached after thinking
an official judgment in a legal case or dispute
a contest result awarded by judges or officials
Beyond the definition
Making a decision isn't always easy! It's the act of choosing between different options after carefully (or sometimes not so carefully!) considering them. Think about deciding what to eat for dinner – that's a small decision. But deciding whether to move to a new city or accept a job offer? Those are big decisions that can change your life.
A decision can mean both what you choose and the act of choosing. Sometimes it involves weighing pros and cons, listening to advice, or even flipping a coin! A good decision often feels right, while a bad one might leave you with regret. As Hamlet famously lamented, "To be, or not to be, that is the question" – a very weighty decision indeed!
A decision is a choice you make between different possibilities, often after thinking about them. It can also refer to the act or moment of choosing. It's more than just picking something at random; it implies some level of thought and consideration, even if that consideration is brief. For example, "After much deliberation, she made the decision to accept the scholarship."
The word "decision" comes from the Latin decidere, meaning "to cut off," suggesting a finality – once you make a decision, you're essentially cutting off other options. It can refer to a formal judgment or verdict, like a court's decision, but it also applies to everyday choices.
We often talk about "making" a decision, emphasizing the active process involved. While "decision" is a noun, it is frequently paired with adjectives to describe its nature, such as a "firm decision" or a "difficult decision." To describe the quality of a person's ability to choose, we use related forms: someone who is good at making choices is "decisive," while someone who struggles is "indecisive."
The context of a decision matters greatly. A business decision might involve financial risk, while a personal decision could impact relationships. Sometimes we make impulsive decisions, other times we carefully analyze all the information before us.
Ultimately, every moment of our lives involves making countless decisions – big and small – that shape who we are and where we go. So whether it's choosing what to wear or charting the course of your life, a decision is a fundamental part of being human.
Examples
- 1
Everyday choice
I need a little more time before I make a decision.
- 2
Difficult choice
It was a difficult decision to leave my old job.
- 3
Deadline
We have to make a decision by Friday.
- 4
Committee policy
The committee will make a decision on the new policy.
- Patterndecision on + subject
a choice about that subject
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Study plans
Her parents supported her decision to study abroad.
- Patterndecision to do X
a choice about doing X
- 6
Right choice
In the end, moving closer to work was the right decision.
- 7
Final authority
The final decision is up to the director.
- Patternbe up to + person
be that person's responsibility
- 8
Legal decision
The judge's decision will affect thousands of people.
- 9
Looking back
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we've ever made.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- decisionnoun
Forms
- decisionspluralnoun