definite

[def-uh-nit]

adjective

1. clearly defined or determined; not vague or general; fixed; precise; exact.

   a definite quantity;

   definite directions.

   Synonyms: particular, specific

2. having fixed limits; bounded with precision.

   a definite area.

   Synonyms: well-defined

3. positive; certain; sure.

   It is definite that he will take the job.

4. defining; defining; limiting.

5. Botany.,  (of an inflorescence) determinate.

definite

/ dɪˈfɪnɪˌtjuːd, ˈdɛfɪnɪt /

adjective

1. clearly defined; exact; explicit

2. having precise limits or boundaries

3. known for certain; sure

   it is definite that they have won

4. botany

   1. denoting a type of growth in which the main stem ends in a flower, as in a cymose inflorescence; determinate

   2. (esp of flower parts) limited or fixed in number in a given species

Other Word Forms

• definitude noun
• definiteness noun
• nondefinite adjective
• nondefinitely adverb
• nondefiniteness noun
• quasi-definite adjective
• quasi-definitely adverb
• semidefinite adjective
• semidefinitely adverb
• semidefiniteness noun
• undefinite adjective
• undefinitely adverb
• undefiniteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of definite¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dēfīnītus “limited, precise,” adjective use of past participle of dēfīnīre “to limit”; define

Word History and Origins

Origin of definite¹

C15: from Latin dēfīnītus limited, distinct; see _define

Example Sentences

“When the movie was a definite thing, there were several big stars who wanted to play the part,” Curry remembers.

From Los Angeles Times

"There is a definite advantage when they have these staff there for longer, understanding habits and behaviours."

From BBC

"I've had clients who on the face of it without IPP sentences might have faced fixed term sentences of four or five years which gives them a definite release date," he said.

From BBC

“I really can’t put into words what makes it so magical, but there is a definite thing there that you feel when you’re actually there. I’ve loved it since I was a little kid.”

From Los Angeles Times

He had no definite plan of his own and so he went.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bold 
• categorical 
• clear-cut 
• definitive 
• distinct 
• explicit 
• obvious 
• palpable 
• positive 
• precise 
• pronounced 
• specific 
• straightforward 
• unambiguous 
• unequivocal 
• unmistakable 
• well-defined