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.
-
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
- 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.
To Duane’s delight, there was a definite narrowing of its width, but to Handsome’s regret, the ground was climbing higher and higher as well.
From Literature
So I had very definite feelings about it, and I thought it was wrongheaded and really somewhat shameful of the academy to do that.
From Los Angeles Times
Chart watchers contend that a trend will stay in force until there is a definite sign that it has ended.
From MarketWatch
Hataoka credited strong putting with carrying her to the lead in the first event of a season in which she has very definite goals.
From Barron's
"It's hard to say anything definite in this world we are in, but I expect him to stay, yes."
From Barron's
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.
