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.

Disney’s leadership has been determined to run this succession process as smoothly as possible after its disastrous last try.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Sheriff’s Department determined that the deputies involved, David Vega and Jonathan Miramontes, did not violate its use of force policies.

From Los Angeles Times

But he’s been determined to make things work in Arizona.

From Literature

The press had found their star in the blunt old man determined to stay by his mountain.

From Literature

She trained in classical arts—voice and dance—and common notions of beauty are present in her music, yet she seems equally determined to splinter her tracks into pieces via technology.

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.