definite

[ def-uh-nit ]
/ ˈdɛf ə nɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR definite ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

clearly defined or determined; not vague or general; fixed; precise; exact: a definite quantity; definite directions.
having fixed limits; bounded with precision: a definite area.
positive; certain; sure: It is definite that he will take the job.
defining; limiting.
Botany. (of an inflorescence) determinate.

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Origin of definite

1520–30; < Latin dēfīnītus limited, precise, past participle of dēfīnīre; see define, -ite2

OTHER WORDS FROM definite

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH definite

definite definitive

Words nearby definite

defined-benefit, definiendum, definiens, defining, defining moment, definite, definite article, definite description, definite integral, definite relative clause, definite relative pronoun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to definiteness

rigor, veracity, skill, truthfulness, certainty, efficiency, confidence, trust, inevitability, sharpness, correctness, verity, truth, heed, meticulousness, exactitude, attention, carefulness, nicety, preciseness

Example sentences from the Web for definiteness

British Dictionary definitions for definiteness

definite
/ (ˈdɛfɪnɪt) /

adjective

clearly defined; exact; explicit
having precise limits or boundaries
known for certain; sureit is definite that they have won
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

Derived forms of definite

definiteness, noundefinitude (dɪˈfɪnɪˌtjuːd), noun

Word Origin for definite

C15: from Latin dēfīnītus limited, distinct; see define
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012