committed

/kəˈmɪtɪd/

Say it: kuh-MIT-id

1. adjective Loyal and willing to give your time and energy to something you believe in, such as a cause, activity, or person.
She is a committed teacher who stays late to help her students.
2. adjective Having been officially placed in a prison or mental health facility.
After the evaluation, the court ordered that he be committed for treatment.

📖 Seen in the wild

She is a committed advocate for environmental protection.
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✏️ committed in a sentence

The organization is looking for committed volunteers to help with the event.
They are in a committed, long-term relationship.
Despite early failures, the team remained committed to its innovative approach.
He was a committed activist for civil rights throughout his life.
The government says it is fully committed to finding a peaceful solution.
The documents showed he was committed to a psychiatric hospital in 1982.
To succeed at this level, you have to be completely committed.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

dedicated devoted loyal steadfast faithful stalwart pledged ardent

dedicated · focuses more on the time and effort invested.

devoted · suggests deep affection and love as the motivation.

loyal · emphasizes faithfulness and allegiance to a person or group.

steadfast · implies being firm and unwavering, especially in the face of difficulty.

Opposites: uncommitted, noncommittal, apathetic, indifferent, disloyal

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'committed' is the past participle of the verb 'commit', which traces back to the Latin 'committere', meaning 'to unite, entrust, or bring together'. This was formed from 'com-' (with, together) and 'mittere' (to send, to put). The idea of 'sending' or 'entrusting' oneself to a cause or person gave us the modern sense of dedication, while the more literal sense of 'being sent' led to its use for institutionalization.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

a committed relationshipdeeply committedfully committed toa committed teamremain committed

'Committed' implies a stronger level of involvement than simply being 'interested' or 'involved'; it suggests a promise or a deep sense of duty. Be aware of its dual meanings. While 'a committed volunteer' is positive, the phrase 'he was committed' without any other context can be ambiguous. It could mean he was dedicated, or it could mean he was sent to an institution, so ensure your sentence provides enough information to avoid confusion.

Word family: commit, commitment, uncommitted, noncommittal

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to be a committed person?

A committed person is someone who is dedicated and loyal to a cause, activity, or another person. They are reliable and willing to invest significant time and energy into what they believe in.

What's the difference between 'committed' and 'dedicated'?

They are very close synonyms. 'Committed' often implies a conscious pledge or promise, while 'dedicated' can focus more on the consistent hard work and time one devotes to something.

Can 'committed' have a negative meaning?

Yes, in legal or medical contexts, 'to be committed' means being involuntarily placed in an institution like a prison or psychiatric hospital. The context almost always makes this meaning clear.

What is a 'committed relationship'?

It's a romantic partnership where both people have agreed to be loyal and exclusive, viewing the relationship as a long-term, serious bond.

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