definitive
[dih-fin-i-tiv]
- 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.
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- 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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Origin of definitive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
preciseunambiguousactualcategoricalclear-cutreliabledefinitespecificultimateexhaustivedecisiveconclusiveabsolutecompletedeterminingdownrightendingexpressfinallastExamples from the Web for definitive
Contemporary Examples
Check out our definitive collection of destinations on the rise for next year.
Stay tuned for our definitive list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2015.
But instead of board member, the definitive organizational role in contemporary corporatism is (yep) the human resources manager.
BuzzFeed provided the “definitive ranking” of its favorite characters in the montage.
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.
Historical Examples
The first, the most fierce, and the definitive battle was fought over the moon.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
We have yet no news of the signature of the definitive treaty.
The versions given are the definitive and authoritative ones.
College TeachingPaul Klapper
Closeness to the natural environment is definitive of this stage.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
These characteristics are definitive of the civilization of illiteracy.
The Civilization of IlliteracyMihai Nadin
definitive
- 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
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- grammar a word indicating specificity of reference, such as the definite article or a demonstrative adjective or pronoun
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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
adj.
late 14c., from Old French definitif (12c.), from Latin definitivus "explanatory, definitive," from past participle stem of definire (see define). Related: Definitively.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper