Definition

Verb: 1. To find out or establish something precisely through investigation or calculation: To ascertain or conclude something with certainty after examination, research, or effort. 2. To settle or decide something conclusively: To bring a matter to a final decision or resolution. 3. To fix or define the nature, scope, or limits of something: To establish the essential qualities, boundaries, or parameters of something. 4. To be the decisive factor in causing a particular outcome: To have a controlling influence on the course, nature, or result of something. 5. To make a firm decision: To resolve to do something.

Usage Examples

• Finding out precisely:
  • The detective tried to determine the exact time of the incident.
  • Scientists will determine the chemical composition of the sample.
• Settling conclusively:
  • The judge will determine the outcome of the case.
  • Let's determine the rules before we start the game.
• Fixing or defining:
  • The architect's plan will determine the shape of the building.
  • The contract determines the responsibilities of each party.
• Being the decisive factor:
  • Genetics can determine a person's eye color.
  • Your performance today will determine whether you get the promotion.
• Making a firm decision:
  • She determined to finish the project by Friday. (More formal/literary)

Advanced Usage

• "To be determined by": To be caused or decided by a specific factor.
  • The success of the mission was determined by careful planning.
• "Determine that...": To conclude or establish a fact through a process.
  • The investigation determined that the fire was accidental.

Variants and Related Words

• Determination (n): 1. The quality of being resolute. 2. The process of establishing something exactly.
  • She showed great determination to succeed.
  • The determination of the cause of death took several weeks.
• Determined (adj): Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it.
  • He was determined to win.
• Determiner (n): In grammar, a word (like "a," "the," "this") that precedes and modifies a noun.
• Determinant (n/adj): A factor that decisively affects the nature or outcome of something.
  • Education is a key determinant of future earnings.

Synonyms

• Ascertain: To find out for certain.
• Establish: To set up or prove something on a firm basis.
• Decide: To make a choice or reach a conclusion.
• Settle: To resolve or bring to an end.
• Dictate: To control or command authoritatively.
• Resolve: To decide firmly on a course of action.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Determine on/upon (something): To decide firmly on something. (Formal/Literary)
  • They determined upon a course of action.

Related Idioms

• A determining factor: The most important element that decides an outcome.
  • Cost was the determining factor in our choice.

Verb

1. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
   • I want to see whether she speaks French
   • See whether it works
   • find out if he speaks Russian
   • Check whether the train leaves on time
2. settle conclusively; come to terms
   • We finally settled the argument
3. fix in scope; fix the boundaries of
   • the tree determines the border of the property
4. reach, make, or come to a decision about something
   • We finally decided after lengthy deliberations
5. decide upon or fix definitely
   • fix the variables
   • specify the parameters
6. fix conclusively or authoritatively
   • set the rules
7. shape or influence; give direction to
   • experience often determines ability
   • mold public opinion
8. establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
   • find the product of two numbers
   • The physicist who found the elusive particle won the Nobel Prize