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
-
positive; certain; sure.
It is definite that he will take the job.
-
defining; limiting.
-
Botany. (of an inflorescence) determinate.
adjective
-
clearly defined; exact; explicit
-
having precise limits or boundaries
-
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
Etymology
Origin of definite
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin dēfīnītus “limited, precise,” adjective use of past participle of dēfīnīre “to limit”; see define
Explanation
Definite is an adjective describing something that is known for certain. For example, there is no more definite way to get into trouble with a police officer than speeding in front of the police station with a broken taillight. This word is from the Latin definitus meaning "defined" or "limited." Definite can also be used to mean something is very clearly planned or certainly defined. If you have definite plans for the evening to go to the theater and out for a nice dinner at a steak house, you're probably not going to end up playing miniature golf and eating fast food instead.
Vocabulary lists containing definite
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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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.
An entomologist says: Immo A. Hansen, a medical entomologist at New Mexico State University who studies the physiology of mosquitoes, has very definite opinions about mosquito repellent patches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
This would mean wetter and windier weather but there is a lot of uncertainty - with no definite sign of any storms on the horizon.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
To bridge that gap, standard quantum mechanics says that when a quantum system is measured or observed, its wavefunction collapses into a single definite outcome.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
"It would be a mistake for anybody to try to draw definite conclusions just based on the fact that two databases happen to match," Morley told AFP.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
“Look here,” Lanning covered definite pessimism with bluster, “we’ve done what you asked. We witnessed the man eat. It’s ridiculous to presume him a robot.”
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
