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definitions

definitive

[ dih-fin-i-tiv ]
/ dɪˈfɪn ɪ tɪv /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR definitive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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. fully developed or formed; complete.

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.Compare commemorative(def 2).

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RELATED WORDS

precise, unambiguous, actual, categorical, clear-cut, reliable, definite, specific, ultimate, exhaustive, decisive, conclusive, absolute, complete, determining, downright, ending, express, final, last

Nearby words

  1. definite integral,
  2. definite relative clause,
  3. definite relative pronoun,
  4. definitely,
  5. definition,
  6. definitive host,
  7. definitive plumage,
  8. definitize,
  9. definitude,
  10. deflagrate

Origin of definitive

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Latin dēfīnītīvus, equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) (see definite) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
Can be confuseddefinite definitive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for definitive

British Dictionary definitions for definitive

definitive

/ (dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv) /

adjective

serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive
most reliable, complete, or authoritativethe definitive reading of a text
serving to define or outline
zoology fully developed; completethe definitive form of a parasite
  1. (of postage stamps) permanently on sale
  2. (as noun)a definitive postage stamp

noun

grammar a word indicating specificity of reference, such as the definite article or a demonstrative adjective or pronoun
Derived Formsdefinitively, adverbdefinitiveness, noun
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 definitive

definitive

adj.

late 14c., from Old French definitif (12c.), from Latin definitivus "explanatory, definitive," from past participle stem of definire (see define). Related: Definitively.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper