definitive
Americanadjective
-
most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like.
the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson.
-
serving to define, fix, or specify definitely.
to clarify with a definitive statement.
-
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.
-
Biology. providing the environment in which a fully developed parasite is able to reproduce, as is provided by a definitive host.
noun
-
a defining or limiting word, as an article, a demonstrative, or the like.
-
Philately. a stamp that is a regular issue and is usually on sale for an extended period of time.
adjective
-
serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive
-
most reliable, complete, or authoritative
the definitive reading of a text
-
serving to define or outline
-
zoology fully developed; complete
the definitive form of a parasite
-
-
(of postage stamps) permanently on sale
-
(as noun) a definitive postage stamp
-
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived 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
New Shakespeare Lines Discovered?
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
G.1: Principles of Geography (Sources 1–14)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Minnesota-based sports scientist Lucas Seehafer thinks it’s too early to make a definitive declaration of why that is happening.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026
“It’s unlikely that the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran will offer a definitive resolution to this conflict.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
This time, he’s rewriting the entire script, to be staged on a set decked out in the definitive material of autocratic decadence: gold.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
A record earnings beat wasn’t enough for Oracle to satisfy investors, who are looking for more definitive proof of a successful artificial-intelligence business transformation.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
According to Arlie W. Schorger, author of a definitive study on the bird, in Audubon’s day at least one out of every four birds in North America was a passenger pigeon.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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.
