Word
determine
Phoneticsde·ter·mine, stress on the second syllable
US/dəˈtɝmən/
UK/dɪtˈɜːmɪn/
Definitions
01to find out facts
B1 · Intermediate
v. to discover the facts or the truth about something by looking at evidence.
v. to ascertain or establish exactly, typically as a result of investigation or calculation.
Español:determinar
“The doctors are trying to determine the cause of his illness.”
“Forensic experts were called in to determine the exact point of origin for the fire, examining the charred remains for chemical traces.”
Usage
Often takes a 'that' clause or a 'wh-' clause as its object.
02to influence or decide
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to be the main reason that something happens in a particular way.
v. to be the decisive factor in an outcome; to regulate or shape the character of something.
“Your hard work will determine your success in the final exam.”
“The level of consumer demand will ultimately determine the price at which the new software is launched in the international market.”
Usage
Commonly used in the passive voice to describe causal relationships.
03to make a firm decision
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal
v. to decide something officially or to make a very firm plan.
v. to settle a dispute or question authoritatively; to resolve to take a specific course of action.
“The committee will determine the winner of the competition tomorrow.”
“The court must determine whether the defendant acted with intent or was merely negligent in his duties.”
Usage
When meaning 'to resolve', it is often followed by a 'to' infinitive.
04to end a legal agreement
C2 · Proficiency Law Formal · Technical
v. to bring a legal agreement or a contract to an end.
v. to bring to a conclusion or end, specifically regarding a legal interest, estate, or contract.
“The lease will determine automatically if the rent is not paid for three months.”
“The agreement shall determine upon the death of either party or upon a written notice of thirty days.”
Usage
Primarily used in property law and formal contracts.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “determine” in context.
Verb
01. determine degree
“Doctors need to determine the degree of the injury before starting treatment.”
verb + noun
02. determine effect
“Scientists are trying to determine the effect of the new medicine.”
verb + noun
03. determine extent
“We must determine the extent of the damage caused by the storm.”
verb + noun
04. determine impact
“The study aims to determine the impact of social media on teenagers.”
verb + noun
05. determine level
“A quick test can determine your level of English proficiency.”
verb + noun
06. determine rate
“The bank will determine the interest rate based on the current economy.”
verb + noun
07. determine significance
“It is difficult to determine the significance of these ancient symbols.”
verb + noun
08. determine status
“Please check the website to determine the status of your application.”
verb + noun
Adverb
09. finally determine
“The committee will finally determine the winner of the competition tomorrow.”
adv + verb
10. genetically determine
“Some physical traits, like eye color, are genetically determined.”
adv + verb
11. largely determine
“Your hard work will largely determine your success in the exam.”
adv + verb
12. determine exactly
Real-World Examples
“It can be difficult to see through the array of flashy, protein-packed products and determine whether you need more of it—and which foods to consume to get it.” “The coffee industry typically uses a method for measuring the refractive index of coffee—i.e., how light bends as it travels through the liquid—to determine strength, but it doesn’t capture the contribution of roast color to the overall flavor profile.” “The environment we find ourselves in plays a huge role in determining whether we act on our genetic inclinations or not.” “No one has ever been able to confirm attribution, or determine who said the exact quote, Ralph Keyes, author of “The Quote Verifier” wrote in the book published in 2006.” Etymology
From Middle English determinen, from Old French determiner, French déterminer, from Latin determināre (“to bound, limit, prescribe, fix, determine”), from de + termināre (“to limit”), from terminus (“bound, limit, end”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/determine
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0