definitive

[ dih-fin-i-tiv ]

/ dɪˈfɪn ɪ tɪv /

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See 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. 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.Compare commemorative (def. 2).

OTHER WORDS FOR definitive

3 complete, absolute, ultimate, supreme.

See synonyms for definitive on Thesaurus.com

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to seize by or as if by authority; appropriate summarily

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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)

OTHER WORDS FROM definitive

de·fin·i·tive·ly, adverbde·fin·i·tive·ness, nounnon·de·fin·i·tive, adjectivenon·de·fin·i·tive·ness, noun

un·de·fin·i·tive, adjectiveun·de·fin·i·tive·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH definitive

definite, definitive

Words nearby definitive

definitely, definite relative clause, definite relative pronoun, definition, definitions, definitive, definitive host, definitively, definitive plumage, definitize, definitude

How to use definitive in a sentence

Datadog and Sqreen have signed a definitive acquisition agreement.
Datadog to acquire application security management platform Sqreen|Romain Dillet|February 12, 2021|TechCrunch
Some of the confusion may come from the fact that there still isn’t a definitive answer to exactly where the virus came from.
The CDC says COVID-19 is no match for two masks|Sara Chodosh|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
This April, the Library of America will release the second volume of its definitive edition of her work.
Joan Didion’s ‘Let Me Tell You What I Mean’ shows a writer ahead of her time|Charles Arrowsmith|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
The results, which were presented at a conference in December, are not definitive.
Rumbles on Mars Raise Hopes of Underground Magma Flows|Robin George Andrews|February 1, 2021|Quanta Magazine

It’s surprising and disappointing that these scientists have ignored definitive evidence that their studies are wrong.
Americans can’t cut back on salt. One likely reason: Packaged and prepared foods are filled with it.|Marlene Cimons|January 31, 2021|Washington Post
Check out our definitive collection of destinations on the rise for next year.
Next Stop, Quito: Our Top Cities for 2015|Brandon Presser|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stay tuned for our definitive list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2015.
Why Your Next Vacation Will Be in Turkmenistan|Brandon Presser|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But instead of board member, the definitive organizational role in contemporary corporatism is (yep) the human resources manager.
Valerie Jarrett, Obama Consigliere—and Democracy Killer|James Poulos|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
BuzzFeed provided the “definitive ranking” of its favorite characters in the montage.
There Are More 'Too Many Cooks' Where That First Fever Dream Came From|Kevin Fallon|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I never got a definitive answer, but I think he was used to having a rhythm section that would not be that dynamic under him.
Herbie Hancock Holds Forth|David Yaffe|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thus on the wreck of the world will he pronounce a definitive judgment, from which there will be no appeal.
Letters To Eugenia|Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
But they insisted, as a previous condition, that I should make a positive and definitive choice of a profession.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol 58, No. 357, July 1845|Various
He has not received a definitive answer from Ballachy; meet a money-lender, of whom I have some hopes.
The Life and Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Volume I (of 2)|Florence A. Thomas Marshall
Count de Vergennes was resolute in refusing to sign the definitive treaty with England before ours was signed.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IV (of 12)|Various
But I will if possible suspend my judgment, and study her a few hours longer before I give you my definitive opinion.
Leonora|Maria Edgeworth

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

(of postage stamps) permanently on sale
(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 forms of definitive

definitively, 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

definitive

OTHER WORDS FOR definitive

Origin of definitive

OTHER WORDS FROM definitive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH definitive

Words nearby definitive

Words related to definitive

How to use definitive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for definitive

Derived forms of definitive