definitive
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.
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).
Origin of definitive
1Other words for definitive
Other words from definitive
- de·fin·i·tive·ly, adverb
- de·fin·i·tive·ness, noun
- non·de·fin·i·tive, adjective
- non·de·fin·i·tive·ness, noun
- un·de·fin·i·tive, adjective
- un·de·fin·i·tive·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with definitive
- definite, definitive
Words Nearby definitive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 | TechCrunchSome 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-ScienceThis 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 PostThe 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 MagazineIt’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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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 | THE DAILY BEASTBuzzFeed 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 | THE DAILY BEASTI never got a definitive answer, but I think he was used to having a rhythm section that would not be that dynamic under him.
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 HolbachBut they insisted, as a previous condition, that I should make a positive and definitive choice of a profession.
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 MarshallCount de Vergennes was resolute in refusing to sign the definitive treaty with England before ours was signed.
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
/ (dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv) /
serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive
most reliable, complete, or authoritative: the definitive reading of a text
serving to define or outline
zoology fully developed; complete: the definitive form of a parasite
(of postage stamps) permanently on sale
(as noun) a definitive postage stamp
grammar a word indicating specificity of reference, such as the definite article or a demonstrative adjective or pronoun
Derived forms of definitive
- definitively, adverb
- definitiveness, 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
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