definitive

[ dih-fin-i-tiv ]
/ dɪˈfɪn ɪ tɪv /
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. 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).

QUIZZES

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH THESE WORDS FROM "LITTLE WOMEN"

"Little Women" may be a classic, but that doesn't mean we all know the meanings of the vocab words from the book. Can you define these words correctly and make Jo proud?
Question 1 of 10
earnest
full seriousness, as of intention or purpose.
a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.
urgent character; imperativeness; insistence; importunateness.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of definitive

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Latin dēfīnītīvus, equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) (see definite) + -īvus -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM definitive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH definitive

definite definitive

Words nearby definitive

definite integral, definite relative clause, definite relative pronoun, definitely, definition, definitive, definitive host, definitive plumage, definitize, definitude, deflagrate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to definitive

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

Example sentences 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 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