VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

committed

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/kəˈmɪtɪd/
US/kəˈmɪtɪd/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Giving a great deal of time and effort to a cause, job or plan because you believe in it.

    Grammar: Often followed by to: committed to the project; also before a noun: a committed teacher.

    Patterns

    • committed to something
    • committed to doing something

    She is deeply committed to her patients.

    The school has a committed team of volunteers.

    He remains committed to finishing the course.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    In a serious relationship with one person.

    Grammar: Used about couples: a committed relationship.

    Patterns

    • in a committed relationship

    They are in a committed relationship and plan to move in together.

    He wasn't ready to be committed.

    A committed partner shares the load.

  3. adjectiveafter a verb

    Already promised or obliged to do something, so unable to do something else.

    Grammar: Often with to: already committed to another meeting.

    Patterns

    • committed to something
    • committed to a plan

    The city is already committed to the new bridge.

    I'm committed to another event that night.

    Firms are committed to paying the loan back.

Common combinations

deeply committed
She is deeply committed to her work.
fully committed
The team is fully committed to winning.
committed relationship
They have been in a committed relationship for years.
committed to
We are committed to the plan.
committed volunteer
A committed volunteer gave up his weekends.

Synonyms and how they differ

dedicated
Dedicated stresses giving time and energy to a purpose, while committed also includes a promise or duty.
devoted
Devoted adds strong affection, especially for people.
loyal
Loyal means staying faithful to a person or group, not working hard for a goal.
determined
Determined focuses on refusing to give up, while committed focuses on dedication.

Opposites

uncommittedhalf-heartedindifferent

Word family

commit verb
to promise or dedicate yourself, or to do something wrong
commitment noun
a promise or dedication
uncommitted adjective
not yet decided or promised
committedly adverb
in a dedicated way

Commonly confused: committed or committed (past tense)?

committed vs committed (past tense)

Committed is also the past tense of commit, as in he committed a crime, where it is a verb, not an adjective.

Practice

The company is ___ to reducing waste by half by next year.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “committed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words