decisive
/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈsī-siv/ (ame, mw)
decisive — 形容詞
- decisivepositive
- more decisivecomparative
- most decisivesuperlative
1. having the habit of making up your mind fast and with certainty about what to do
果斷的
能迅速做出明確決定的人或行為
having the habit of making up your mind fast and with certainty about what to do — not hesitating or second-guessing yourself.
During the fire alarm, Kwame was decisive — he led everyone straight to the exit.
火災警報響起時，Kwame 非常果斷——他帶著所有人直接走向出口。
predicative use: was decisive
The manager's decisive action kept the problem from spreading to other departments.
經理果斷的行動防止了問題擴散到其他部門。
collocation: decisive action
Aarav is not decisive — he can spend twenty minutes choosing which shirt to wear.
Aarav 不是一個果斷的人——他挑選要穿哪件襯衫就能花上二十分鐘。
Rin's decisive answer surprised everyone who knew how shy she usually is.
Rin 果斷的回答讓所有認識她平時有多害羞的人都感到驚訝。
Yara wished she could be more decisive when choosing between job offers.
Yara 希望自己在選擇工作機會時能更果斷一些。
- resolute
More formal; emphasises sticking firmly to a decision once made, even under pressure
- determined
Focuses on strong intention to achieve a goal, not specifically on speed of deciding
- firm
Less formal; suggests being steady and not easily shaken in your position
- indecisive
The direct opposite — unable to make choices or always changing your mind
- hesitant
Describes a temporary state of being unsure rather than a fixed trait
用法筆記
The opposite is indecisive (unable to choose or decide). In everyday speech, the phrase 'make up your mind' can replace the idea of being decisive, but decisive describes a personality trait rather than a single action.
常見錯誤
2. having a powerful effect on the direction or final outcome of an event, process,
決定性的
對結果有強大影響的
having a powerful effect on the direction or final outcome of an event, process, or conflict — something that tips the balance one way or the other.
The decisive battle of the war was fought on a small island near the coast.
那場戰爭的決定性戰役是在海岸附近的一個小島上進行的。
collocation: decisive battle
Maeve's quick thinking was the decisive factor in saving the injured hiker's life.
Maeve 的機智反應是救出受傷登山客的決定性因素。
collocation: decisive factor
A single vote can be decisive in a close election.
在激烈的選舉中，一票之差就可能具有決定性。
The quality of the soil plays a decisive role in whether crops grow well.
土壤的品質對農作物能否生長良好扮演著決定性的角色。
The general's strategy was the decisive element in winning the campaign.
將軍的策略是贏得戰役的決定性要素。
- crucial
Highlights the importance of something, but slightly weaker on the outcome-determining aspect
- critical
Often used for make-or-break moments; similar to crucial but can imply urgency
- determining
Directly emphasises the act of causing a specific result; more technical in tone
- insignificant
Something that does not matter enough to affect the outcome
- minor
Describes a small or unimportant part of a situation
用法筆記
Commonly paired with nouns that describe outcomes: factor, role, moment, battle, vote, victory, influence. Unlike sense 1, this sense does NOT describe a person's character — it always describes the effect of an event, action, or element.
常見錯誤
❌ 'Her calm personality was a decisive factor in the negotiation.' (if you mean she personally was quick to decide, use sense 1. If you mean her calmness changed the outcome, sense 2 is correct.) — Use the context to distinguish: sense 2 works when the noun refers to something that determines a result.
3. so clear and obvious that no doubt is possible — leaving no room for argument, u
明確的
毫無疑問的；不容爭論的
so clear and obvious that no doubt is possible — leaving no room for argument, uncertainty, or different interpretations.
The DNA test provided decisive proof that the suspect was at the crime scene.
DNA 檢測提供了明確的證據，證明嫌疑人在犯罪現場。
collocation: decisive proof
Élise's victory in the debate was decisive — no one could argue with her facts.
Élise 在辯論中的勝利是毫無疑問的——沒有人能夠反駁她提出的事實。
The photographs were decisive evidence that confirmed the scientist's theory.
那些照片是明確的證據，證實了科學家的理論。
Tariro's fingerprints on the safe latch were decisive proof of her guilt.
Tariro 在保險箱門閂上留下的指紋，是她有罪的明確證據。
- conclusive
Specifically used for evidence or arguments that settle a question once and for all
- definitive
Suggests the final authority on a topic; often used for statements, answers, or lists
- unmistakable
Impossible to misunderstand; focuses on clarity of perception rather than logical settlement
- questionable
Open to doubt or debate; the opposite of beyond-doubt certainty
- ambiguous
Can be understood in more than one way; not clear enough to settle anything
用法筆記
More formal than sense 2. Used mainly with abstract nouns such as proof, evidence, answer, sign, or result. In everyday conversation, 'clear' or 'definite' is more common than this sense of decisive.