determined
Americanadjective
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resolute; staunch.
the determined defenders of the Alamo.
- Synonyms:
- unfaltering, inflexible
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decided; settled; resolved.
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Grammar. (of a phonetic feature) predictable from its surrounding context.
adjective
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
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.
The department said that the coffee shop was closer to his home compared to being released "directly from the Border Patrol station" and it was determined to be "a warm, safe location".
From BBC
After the negotiating window ended, Warner’s board said it determined that Paramount’s newest offer could reasonably be expected to lead in a deal superior to its existing one with Netflix.
"Based on the information available to us, we have since determined there is no further role for the Commission as charity regulator. However, we continue to engage with the charity on its closure."
From BBC
The presenter said she had "a little cry" after she arrived home, but is determined to visit Swansea again.
From BBC
Politicians will be elected in large constituencies of six MSs each, with their numbers determined by a formula that tries to reflect how people voted.
From BBC
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.
