Determined Definition & Meaning - Adjective

American

British

Usage

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms determined American [dih-tur-mind] / dɪˈtɜr mɪnd /

adjective

1. resolute; staunch.

   the determined defenders of the Alamo.

   Synonyms: unfaltering, inflexible

2. decided; settled; resolved.

3. Grammar. (of a phonetic feature) predictable from its surrounding context.

determined British / dɪˈtɜːmɪnd /

adjective

1. of unwavering mind; resolute; firm

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does determined mean? Determined means firmly set in one’s decision or course of action, especially with the aim of achieving a particular goal.Someone who’s determined to do something is extremely motivated and unlikely to quit or change their mind. Someone who’s determined in general has a very strong desire to achieve their goals.Someone who’s determined in this way is said to be showing determination—the quality of being firm in one’s purpose.Determined is also the past tense form of the verb determine, meaning to decide or settle in an authoritative way or conclude after observation. The term undetermined uses this sense of the word. Something that’s undetermined has not been conclusively decided or settled. (It’s not used to describe someone who’s not particularly motivated.)Example: I am absolutely determined to finish this race, even if I have to crawl across the finish line.

Other Word Forms

• determinedly adverb
• determinedness noun
• postdetermined adjective
• undetermined adjective

Etymology

Origin of determined

First recorded in 1490–1500; determine + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kinzel said that the office immediately determined it would be inappropriate to get involved with the case, and that the office “did everything it should have to ensure that a conflict-free prosecution would occur.”

From Los Angeles Times

He has contributed to 15 goals this season for the Foxes, who are determined not to let him leave this month.

From BBC

“You shouldn’t let your happiness be determined by an interest rate on a house that doesn’t work for you anymore,” he said.

From MarketWatch

Wood, who has been out with a knee injury since October, had surgery just before Christmas, with a comeback date yet to be determined.

From BBC

When the playoff field was determined three months later, those two sacks were much more than the reason Miami opened their season with a win.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• decisive
• dogged
• purposeful
• resolute
• resolved
• serious
• single-minded
• steadfast
• strong-willed
• stubborn
• tenacious

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.