definitive
Americanadjective
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most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like.
the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson.
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serving to define, fix, or specify definitely.
to clarify with a definitive statement.
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having its fixed and final form; providing a solution or final answer; satisfying all criteria.
the definitive treatment for an infection; a definitive answer to a dilemma.
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Biology. providing the environment in which a fully developed parasite is able to reproduce, as is provided by a definitive host.
noun
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a defining or limiting word, as an article, a demonstrative, or the like.
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Philately. a stamp that is a regular issue and is usually on sale for an extended period of time.
adjective
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serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive
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most reliable, complete, or authoritative
the definitive reading of a text
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serving to define or outline
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zoology fully developed; complete
the definitive form of a parasite
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(of postage stamps) permanently on sale
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(as noun) a definitive postage stamp
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noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of definitive
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin dēfīnītīvus, equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) ( see definite) + -īvus adjective suffix ( see -ive)
Explanation
A definitive answer is a final one. A definitive decision by a court of law is one that will not be changed. A definitive translation is one everyone turns to as correct. Definitive means authoritative, conclusive, final. Be careful not to confuse definitive with definite. Definite means clearly defined. You can have a definite opinion that JFK could not have been assassinated by a lone gunman, but the definitive interpretation remains that of the Warren Commission Report, which held there was only one.
Vocabulary lists containing definitive
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G.1: Principles of Geography (Sources 1–14)
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Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
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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.
We “carry the burden of approximately four billion years of accumulated mutations,” a long record of “convoluted workarounds rather than . . . definitive, streamlined solutions.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Neither Indonesian nor Singaporean authorities gave definitive answers to the BBC's previous queries about what they intend to do with the babies.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Because the study included only 40 participants, the researchers caution that the results should be viewed as early evidence rather than definitive proof that spermidine can improve vaccination outcomes.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
But Ferrara cautioned against celebrating it as a definitive victory.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
Ti Fifi wrote that she needed him to be definitive.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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.
