What does decidedness mean?
Decidedness is a noun denoting the quality of being decided: a state of firmness, clarity, and settled conviction in one's opinions, purposes, or manner of expression. A person who acts with decidedness speaks and behaves as though their mind is fully made up, leaving little room for hesitation or ambiguity. The word is relatively formal and appears most often in written English — in biography, criticism, and descriptive prose — where writers wish to convey not merely the ability to choose quickly (the domain of 'decisiveness') but the assured, unshakable character of a stance already taken. Its connotations are largely positive, suggesting confidence and strength of character, though it can shade into inflexibility when a person's decidedness borders on stubbornness. Synonyms include resolve, determination, firmness, and resoluteness, while its opposites are indecision, hesitation, and vacillation. For speakers seeking a precise term for settled certainty of manner or mind, decidedness fills a useful niche.
nounThe quality of being decided; firmness and clarity of purpose or judgment, especially in making decisions or taking a stand. It connotes a settled, unwavering manner rather than hesitation or ambiguity.
- The quality or state of being decided; firmness and clarity of opinion, purpose, or manner.
"She answered the committee's questions with a decidedness that left no doubt about her position."
"He spoke with such decidedness that the room fell silent."
"The teacher's decidedness about the new policy reassured anxious parents."
As an abstract noun denoting a quality, decidedness is almost always used in the singular; a plural form exists grammatically but is rare and generally limited to contexts referring to multiple instances or varieties of the quality.
"The biographer noted the decidednesses of character that marked each stage of her subject's career."
Decidedness is the noun English reaches for when 'decisiveness' feels too much about speed — it's the quality of already having made up your mind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of decidedness
Decidedness is formed within English from the adjective 'decided' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness', a productive Germanic means of turning adjectives into abstract nouns. The adjective 'decided' derives from the verb 'decide', which entered English in the late Middle Ages from French 'décider', itself from Latin 'decidere', meaning literally 'to cut off' (from 'de-' + 'caedere', to cut). The abstract noun 'decidedness' emerged in English by around the early nineteenth century, following the pattern of similar '-ness' formations. It shares its ultimate Latin root with related words such as 'decision', 'decisive', and 'incisive'.
Related word forms
How decidedness is actually used
Decidedness is a relatively formal and somewhat uncommon word, more at home in written prose than everyday speech. It carries a positive connotation of confidence and conviction, though it can occasionally suggest bluntness or an unwillingness to reconsider. It is less frequent than its near-synonym 'decisiveness'.
Easily confused with decidedness
Decisiveness refers specifically to the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively, while decidedness emphasizes the firm, settled quality of an opinion, manner, or stance once formed.