definite
Americanadjective
-
clearly defined or determined; not vague or general; fixed; precise; exact.
a definite quantity;
definite directions.
- Synonyms:
- particular , specific
-
having fixed limits; bounded with precision.
a definite area.
- Synonyms:
- well-defined
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positive; certain; sure.
It is definite that he will take the job.
-
Botany. (of an inflorescence) determinate.
adjective
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clearly defined; exact; explicit
-
having precise limits or boundaries
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known for certain; sure
it is definite that they have won
-
botany
-
denoting a type of growth in which the main stem ends in a flower, as in a cymose inflorescence; determinate
-
(esp of flower parts) limited or fixed in number in a given species
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Other Word Forms
- definiteness noun
- definitude 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
Etymology
Origin of definite
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dēfīnītus “limited, precise,” adjective use of past participle of dēfīnīre “to limit”; define
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lancashire Police said the fires had been investigated as potential arson, but no definite cause had been identified.
From BBC
"It needs to be a definite pivot, not a little shift," they said.
From BBC
The difference today is that outlets have clear but unstated biases, with a veneer of fairness covering a definite slant.
"And I can't say for definite, but I would more than likely have left."
From BBC
“Large employers frequently make adjustments to their workforce that aren’t directly related to economic conditions, so I wouldn’t say this is a definite sign of a weakening job market,” she said.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
