definitive

American  

[dih-fin-i-tiv] / dɪˈfɪn ɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like.

   the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson.

2. serving to define, fix, or specify definitely.

   to clarify with a definitive statement.

3. 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.

   Synonyms:

   supreme, ultimate, absolute, complete

4. Biology. providing the environment in which a fully developed parasite is able to reproduce, as is provided by a definitive host.

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noun

1. a defining or limiting word, as an article, a demonstrative, or the like.

2. Philately. a stamp that is a regular issue and is usually on sale for an extended period of time.

definitive British  

/ dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv /

adjective

1. serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive

2. most reliable, complete, or authoritative

   the definitive reading of a text

3. serving to define or outline

4. zoology fully developed; complete

   the definitive form of a parasite

5. 1. (of postage stamps) permanently on sale

   2. (as noun) a definitive postage stamp

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noun

1. grammar a word indicating specificity of reference, such as the definite article or a demonstrative adjective or pronoun

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

A number of experts have speculated on the reasons for the sector rotation to healthcare but haven’t come up with a definitive answer.

From Barron's

But the Milan proceedings were dismissed in January 2017 - in part because prosecutors could not link the payments to specific contracts or definitively identify the public officials who received the funds.

From BBC

The definitive bands working in the style took the loud and rude antagonism of punk and integrated forms outside of rock, incorporating the bass-forward presentation of reggae and the abstraction of art-rock.

From The Wall Street Journal

The technology has been programmed to return only confirmed identity matches from facial scans, excluding results that are close but not definitive.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, it was later in the dig that the team were finally able to establish a more definitive date for when exactly the skatepark had closed.

From BBC

Related Words

• actual
• categorical
• clear-cut
• conclusive
• decisive
• definite
• exhaustive
• precise
• reliable
• specific
• ultimate
• unambiguous