4 meanings
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1 —as in:
this game determines the champion
Definition
to control (how something will turn out)- The research paper determines 50% of the class grade.
determines = controls
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- The number of days of vacation is determined by years at the company.
- A coin flip determines the outcome.
- This game will determine who wins the national championship.
- We want the power to determine the destiny of our black and oppressed communities.Angie Thomas -- The Hate U Give
- It is a civil war, Hazel Grace, with a predetermined winner.John Green -- The Fault in Our Stars
- Ultimately the determining factor is the mental attitude of the ruling class itself.George Orwell -- 1984
- If he be slain, say I; or if not, no.
Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe.William Shakespeare -- Romeo and Juliet - I cringed a little at the position of power I'd been granted, and all because I had won at the genetic lottery that had determined my sex.Khaled Hosseini -- The Kite Runner
- But today we honor your differences. They have determined your futures. She began to describe this year's group and its variety of personalities,Lois Lowry -- The Giver
determined = controlled
determines = controls
determine = control
determine = control (how something will turn out)
predetermined = controlled in advance
(editor's note: The prefix "pre-" means in advance or before as seen in prepay and preschool.)
determining = controlling (how something will turn out)
determine = control (how something will turn out)
determined = controlled
determined = controlled
2 —as in:
determine the truth
Definition
to learn, discover, or officially decide- They are working to determine the cause of the accident.
determine = learn or discover
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- The court determined that she violated the terms of the contract.
- She is awaiting determination of her status as a political refugee.
- She determined that there was an error in the calculation.
- The board determined that she is not eligible for parole.
- She uses TurboTax to determine her tax liability.
- The issue needs to be determined politically rather than judiciously.
- Fortunately, the coroner determined that Mr. McSouthers died of a heart attack, as did Samuel W Westing.Ellen Raskin -- The Westing Game
- Is there any way to determine how long the fibers had been on the jacket?Delia Owens -- Where the Crawdads Sing
- The coroner determined that the fatal wound was self-inflicted.Jon Krakauer -- Into the Wild
determined = officially decided
determination = an official finding or decision
determined = discovered
determined = officially decided
determine = figure out (learn or calculate)
determined = officially decided
determined = figured out
determine = figure out
determined = officially decided after investigation
3 —as in:
is determined to succeed
Definition
firm in purpose- I'm determined to become a lawyer.
determined = firmly planning
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- She started the job with enthusiasm and determination.
- She thinks the product represents the future of the company and is determined to dominate the market.
- She is determined to find a cure for the disease.
- By Sunday, he was still determined not to go back to school.R.J. Palacio -- Wonder
- I was determined to prove her wrong.Angie Thomas -- The Hate U Give
- She was amazed at the determination and single-mindedness with which they pursued their goals.Mina Baites -- The Silver Music Box
- Lale is determined to find out who these men are.Heather Morris -- The Tattooist of Auschwitz
- I could see that he was determined that they should not pass.Bram Stoker -- Dracula
- Head low, determined to leave before anyone else approached, he stepped onto the aft deck of his cabin cruiser.Delia Owens -- Where the Crawdads Sing
determination = firmness of purpose
determined = firm in purpose
determined = firmly planning
determined = firm in purpose
determined = firm in purpose
determination = firmness of purpose
determined = firm in purpose
determined = firm in purpose
determined = firm in purpose
4 —as in:
I determined what to do
Definition
decide- I determined to prolong my holiday.
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- She determined to study each of the virtues.
- DANFORTH: Do you take it upon yourself to determine what this court shall believe and what it shall set aside?Arthur Miller -- The Crucible
- She determined to nurse her child to health, and she put all her being into it.Chinua Achebe -- Things Fall Apart
- "Maybe you should let me determine that myself?" he says.Angie Thomas -- The Hate U Give
- Some of the actors are the same, most are new, their lines unwritten, their role not yet determined.Heather Morris -- The Tattooist of Auschwitz
- I had determined at one time that the memory of these evils should die with me, but you have won me to alter my determination.Mary Shelley -- Frankenstein
- She was as keen as Alyss for King Nolan's return, but she had determined to enjoy the day's festivities.Frank Beddor -- The Looking Glass Wars
- He wanted to go, and he didn't see that Mr. Sloane had determined he shouldn't.F. Scott Fitzgerald -- The Great Gatsby
- They even all have the same last name, and she silently curses whoever it was who determined that they should all be named Ward—as if being one weren't enough of a stigma.Neal Shusterman -- Unwind
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
determine = decide
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
determine = decide
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
determined = decided
(editor's note: This sense of determined is seen more in classic literature. In most of those uses today, it would be replaced by decided.)
Less commonly:
See a comprehensive dictionary for specialized meanings used in law, math, and logic.
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