French word

déterminer

Pronunciation

IPA/detɛʁmine/

Meaning

  • verbdecide

Example

Le comité déterminera la date demain.

The committee will decide the date tomorrow.

Illustration for déterminer (decide)

More examples

Nous devons déterminer la cause de l'erreur.

We must determine the cause of the error.

Core concept

A boundary line that reveals what shapes an outcome or fixes an exact point such as a date.

Common phrases

  • déterminer la date

    determine the date

  • déterminer la cause

    determine the cause

Similar words

décider: Make a final judgment based on an intention or reason.
choisir: Select one option from several available choices.
fixer: Officially set a time, place, or condition.
conclure: Draw a conclusion from the content of a discussion or argument.

Definition in French

Repérer ce qui cause ou influence un résultat, ou fixer avec certitude une date, une règle ou une information.

Word origin

French déterminer comes from Latin determinare, formed from terminus, 'boundary', and originally expressing the setting of a limit.

Usage tips

  • Déterminer is natural for fixing a date, rule, or condition, while décider is usually more direct for making a personal or organizational choice.

Other meanings

  • specifyverb
  • influenceverb
  • ascertainverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word