definitively

[ dih-fin-i-tiv-lee ]

/ dɪˈfɪn ɪ tɪv li /

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See synonyms for definitively on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in a way that is definite, complete, final, or absolute: There is no forensic evidence to definitively identify the attacker.The court's ruling is seen as a missed opportunity to resolve the issue definitively.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of definitively

definitive + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM definitively

non·de·fin·i·tive·ly, adverbun·de·fin·i·tive·ly, adverb

Words nearby definitively

definite relative pronoun, definition, definitions, definitive, definitive host, definitively, definitive plumage, definitize, definitude, deflagrate, deflate

How to use definitively in a sentence

It’s too early for a definitive evaluation of what happened, because exit polls are no more reliable than pre-election polls.
Never Trumpers played a critical role in beating him. The numbers prove it.|Max Boot|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
There was no definitive discussion that I’m aware of on what was going to be left.
Amid Pentagon upheaval, military officers face a fraught few months|Missy Ryan, Dan Lamothe, Greg Jaffe, Josh Dawsey|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
In a highly polarized era, most elections are going to be close — close enough as to exceed the ability of polls to provide you with a definitive answer.
The Polls Weren’t Great. But That’s Pretty Normal.|Nate Silver (nrsilver@fivethirtyeight.com)|November 11, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Both will still require more data to get a definitive answer, but for now, I think this is really good news.
Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in first analysis, company reports|Carolyn Y. Johnson|November 9, 2020|Washington Post

She and a helper lowered down with cords more than 1,000 of the most valuable pressed plants from an upper floor, including the definitive specimen of Franciscan manzanita.
How passion, luck and sweat saved some of North America’s rarest plants|Susan Milius|November 5, 2020|Science News
If this Dear Leader is definitively tied to the Sony hack, we may be at the beginning of an even more dangerous new era.
Kim Jong Un’s Kid Gloves Are Now Off|Gordon G. Chang|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Earlier this year, al Qaeda split with ISIS definitively in a public repudiation of the group.
Even a Top Democrat Thinks Obama's Legal Case for War Makes No Sense|Eli Lake|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The 2012 Republican Platform still states definitively: “We oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.”
The Artificial Womb Will Change Feminism Forever|Samantha Allen|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While we have not definitively located the video, in one video tanks can be seen crossing a pontoon bridge into Ukraine.
Russia’s Military Is Already in East Ukraine. Will There Be a Full-Scale Invasion?|James Miller|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is being baited daily to say, definitively, that he is running.
Rand Paul’s Daddy Issues|Olivia Nuzzi|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Certainly not, said the Doctor, definitively; there will be no rest from overturnings till He whose right it is shall come.
The Minister's Wooing|Harriet Beecher Stowe
In this strange conflict between laws and manners, upon which side will the drama definitively take up its stand?
The English Stage|Augustin Filon
The law was accordingly voted definitively on December 6, 1905, and at once promulgated.
The War Upon Religion|Rev. Francis A. Cunningham
The document having been definitively drawn up, one of the notaries began reading it.
History of the Great Reformation, Volume IV|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
It was not copied out fair; and the conclusions, as well as the exordium, were not definitively drawn up.
History of the Great Reformation, Volume IV|J. H. Merle D'Aubign