determined

determined — adjective

1. having a strong wish to achieve something, and refusing to let anyone or anythin

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

having a strong wish to achieve something, and refusing to let anyone or anything get in the way

Example

Hao was determined to finish the marathon even after twisting his ankle.

be + determined + to-infinitive for personal goals

The determined firefighters worked through the night to control the forest fire.

attributive use: determined noun

Common collocations
  • determined effort
  • determined look
  • determined expression
  • determined face
  • determined opponent
  • absolutely determined
  • firmly determined
Synonyms
  • resolute

    more formal; emphasises firmness of purpose especially in difficult situations

  • persistent

    focuses on continuing an action over time rather than a single strong decision

  • tenacious

    suggests a very firm hold on a goal and unwillingness to let go

  • single-minded

    implies focusing on one goal to the exclusion of everything else

Antonyms
  • indecisive

    unable to make a clear decision or stick to one

  • hesitant

    showing uncertainty or slowness in acting

  • weak-willed

    easily persuaded or stopped from pursuing a goal

Grammar Patterns

be + determined + to-infinitive

remain + determined + to-infinitive

determined + noun (attributive)

Usage Note

The most common pattern is be + determined + to-infinitive. Determined can also be used directly before a noun (e.g. a determined effort, a determined look).

Common Mistakes

I am determined of winning the race.
I am determined to win the race.
determined is followed by the to-infinitive, not a preposition.
Idioms

bound and determined

idiom

Having a strong and fixed intention to achieve something.

Maya was bound and determined to finish the marathon despite her injury.

Are you bound and determined to prove everyone wrong about your idea?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Determined is the most general word — it describes anyone who has made a strong decision to achieve something and will not give up easily. Resolute is more formal and suggests a calm, unwavering firmness in the face of pressure (e.g. a resolute leader refusing to change course). Persistent focuses on continuing an action repeatedly over time, even when results are slow (e.g. a persistent job applicant who sends follow-up emails). Tenacious implies a very strong hold on a goal, almost like gripping with hands and not letting go. Single-minded goes further, suggesting that a person focuses on one goal so completely that they ignore everything else. A determined student might study hard; a single-minded one forgets to eat.

determined ↗resolutepersistent ↗tenacious ↗single-minded

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • determined to
  • determined that

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Determined comes from the Latin verb determinare, meaning 'to set boundaries or fix limits' (de- 'down/off' + terminare 'to bound, limit'). The adjective developed in the 1500s from the past participle of the English verb determine, shifting from 'with fixed boundaries' to 'with a fixed purpose'. The modern sense of being strongly resolved dates from the early 1800s.