ENGLISH
REFERENCE

predetermined

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌpɹidiˈtɝmɪnd// UK //pɹɪdɪtˈɜːmɪnd// pre·de·ter·mined

adj. decided or settled in advance so that it cannot be changed later.

adj. established or decided beforehand; often used to describe outcomes that appear fixed by fate or prior planning.


SIMPLE

The winner of the game seemed predetermined.

CONTEXTUAL

The software follows a predetermined set of instructions to process the data automatically.

COMPLEX

Critics argued that the committee's final decision was predetermined by political interests long before the public hearings actually took place.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From pre- + determined.

Etymology 2

From predetermine + -ed.

Usage

Typically used as a participial adjective; often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun.

© 2026 English Reference