definite

[def-uh-nit]

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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.

Origin of definite

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

Related formsdef·i·nite·ness, nounnon·def·i·nite, adjectivenon·def·i·nite·ly, adverbnon·def·i·nite·ness, nounqua·si-def·i·nite, adjectivequa·si-def·i·nite·ly, adverbsem·i·def·i·nite, adjectivesem·i·def·i·nite·ly, adverbsem·i·def·i·nite·ness, nounun·def·i·nite, adjectiveun·def·i·nite·ly, adverbun·def·i·nite·ness, noun

Can be confuseddefinite definitive

Synonyms for definite

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1. specific, particular. 2. well-defined.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for definiteness

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

Examples from the Web for definiteness

Historical Examples of definiteness

It can hardly help the definiteness of a meaning: is it therefore to be disregarded?
A Dish Of Orts
George MacDonald
Sergius sternly declined, but was horrified by the definiteness of his desire.
Father Sergius
Leo Tolstoy
It comes from the very crispness and definiteness with which he sees things.
My Contemporaries In Fiction
David Christie Murray
On such a mysterious subject, definiteness is neither to be expected nor desired.
The Legacy of Greece
Various
The natural feelings of the people lack purpose and definiteness.
The Psychology of Nations
G.E. Partridge

British Dictionary definitions for definiteness

definite

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 Formsdefiniteness, 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

Word Origin and History for definiteness

definite

adj.

1550s, from Latin definitus "defined, bounded, limited," past participle of definire (see define). Definite means "defined, clear, precise, unmistakable;" definitive means "having the character of finality."