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
- definitively adverb
- definitiveness noun
- nondefinitive adjective
- nondefinitiveness noun
- undefinitive adjective
- undefinitiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of definitive
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin dēfīnītīvus, equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) ( definite ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )
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.
Kikuo and Shunsuke’s fortunes shift over the decades — one of them will literally be kicked when he’s down on two separate occasions — but Lee doesn’t let us settle on a definitive impression of either performer.
From Los Angeles Times
As the Epstein files definitively show, it worked.
From Salon
She actually saw it for the first time as definitive.
From Los Angeles Times
They marked the first definitive sign that the transatlantic alliance, which had survived for nearly 80 years, had fractured.
From Salon
Sean is the definitive picture of the carefree collegiate rebellion, an example of free youth so vile and twisted that Van Der Beek becomes utterly and instantly unrecognizable from the role that made him famous.
From Salon
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.
