decisivo

decisive

adjective deh-chee-ZEE-voh Less Common

Also means

crucial

Usage Note

Decisivo is a four-form adjective (decisivo/decisiva/decisivi/decisive). It describes something that settles an outcome — il momento decisivo, il gol decisivo. It is a false friend for English speakers who might reach for 'decided' (deciso) meaning resolute; decisivo always means 'determining the result'.

Examples

"Il suo contributo è stato decisivo per la vittoria."

Natural Translation

His contribution was decisive for the victory.

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