Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

decisive

/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.80 in modern English

Syllables: de-ci-sive
IPA: /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive.

adj

Decided; definite; incontrovertible.

adj

Marked by promptness and decision, resolute; without hesitation.

Example Sentences

"decisive vote"
"decisive battle"
"In truth, Tottenham never really looked like taking all three points and this defeat means they face a battle to reach the knockout stages -with their next home game against PAOK Salonika on 30 November likely to prove decisive."
"decisive victory"
"[F]abulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: […]"
"decisive action"

Etymology

From Middle French décisif, equivalent to decide + -ive.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: decide

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

Inflected Forms

more decisive (comparative) most decisive (superlative)

Derived Forms

decisively decisiveness nondecisive undecisive

Frequently Paired Words

decidable decide decided

Synonyms

decided positive conclusive critical

Antonyms

indecisive

Rhymes With

divisive indecisive incisive derisive previsive

Questions

How do you pronounce decisive?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/.
What does decisive mean?: Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive.
Where does decisive come from?: From Middle French décisif, equivalent to decide + -ive.

How to pronounce decisive

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “decisive”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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