definitive

1 of 2

adjective

de·fin·i·tive di-ˈfi-nə-tiv How to pronounce definitive (audio)

: serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation

a definitive victory

could not give a definitive diagnosis

: authoritative and apparently exhaustive

a definitive critical biography

: serving to define or specify precisely

established definitive guidelines for sentencing criminals

: serving as a perfect example : quintessential

a definitive bourgeois

A slow race is the definitive Leechfield competition. You win it by coming in last.

Mary Karr

biology : fully differentiated or developed

a definitive organ

of a postage stamp : issued as a regular stamp for the country or territory in which it is to be used

definitively adverb

definitiveness noun

definitive

2 of 2

noun

: a postage stamp issued as a regular stamp for the country or territory in which it is to be used : a definitive (see definitive entry 1 sense 5) postage stamp compare provisional

Example Sentences

Adjective We need a definitive answer to this question. The court has issued a definitive ruling. a definitive collection of the band's albums

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Mike Rosenthal doesn’t know if there’s one definitive Charles Wright story.

Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Sep. 2022 Mary Kay Cabot has the definitive story on the decision, which the NFL can appeal.

Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 2 Aug. 2022 The animated sci-fi adventure shares the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the Toy Story action figure character, which was voiced by Tim Allen.

Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 19 July 2022 The animated sci-fi action-adventure is the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy.

Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2022 What the definitive story of an individual is is hard to say.

Mary Cadden, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is The definitive story of how The Godfather was made, and how the film had to deal with the real-life mob during production.

Emily Burack, Town & Country, 26 May 2022 The series tells the definitive story of the Malaysian Airlines flight’s disappearance through the eyes of those closest to the tragedy: the victims’ families.

Manori Ravindran, Variety, 6 Apr. 2022 This is the definitive story of Hamid Hayat, a man wrongfully convicted of terrorism, sentenced to prison on his 25th birthday, and finally set free after 14 years behind bars.

Longreads, 2 Mar. 2022

Noun

The road toward answering this question with a definitive yes doesn’t end with one game.

Stephen Means, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 Now, Lauper is taking that iconic line and lending it to Sony Music Entertainment as the title of her forthcoming definitive, career-spanning documentary.

Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English diffynytif, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French diffinitif "final, decisive," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfīnītīvus, diffīnītīvus, going back to Latin dēfīnītīvus "involving definition," from dēfīnītus "limited, clearly defined" (past participle of dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, define") + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of definitive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

definitive

adjective

as in authoritative

being the most accurate and apparently thorough the definitive work on the attack on Pearl Harbor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

authoritative
comprehensive
conclusive
classical
classic
accurate
official
magisterial
decisive
approved
correct
exhaustive
complete
thorough
sanctioned

as in conclusive

serving to put an end to all debate or questioning a definitive answer that put an immediate end to the discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

conclusive
decisive
clear
last
determinative
definite
determinate
deciding
absolute
irrefutable
compelling
indisputable
unequivocal
incontrovertible
unquestionable
unambiguous
inarguable
incontestable
convincing
undeniable
positive
undisputable
indubitable
dispositive
unanswerable
undebatable
undisputed
cogent
uncontested
persuasive
sure
unchallenged
telling
hands-down
certain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

inconclusive
unclear
doubtful
ambiguous
questionable
problematic
debatable
problematical
disputable
controversial
equivocal
indecisive
moot
refutable
disputed
doubtable
debated

as in explicit

so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning the insurance company's definitive statement on the types of surgical operations that are covered

Synonyms & Similar Words

explicit
definite
specific
comprehensive
unequivocal
unambiguous
unmistakable
express
complete
clear-cut
literal
precise
clear
full
comprehensible
simple
exhaustive
univocal
specified
stated
distinct
categorical
declared
exact
direct
lucid
straightforward
certain
intelligible
avowed
categoric
sure
understandable
well-defined
plain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ambiguous
implicit
obscure
unclear
inferred
enigmatic
cryptic
implied
dark
vague
inaccurate
incorrect
imprecise
equivocal
indefinite
inexact
circuitous
enigmatical
incomprehensible
unintelligible
inexplicit
unspecific

as in classic

constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade is often cited as the definitive hard-boiled private detective

Synonyms & Similar Words

classic
exemplary
perfect
excellent
quintessential
unique
model
textbook
superb
paradigmatic
archetypal
great
exceptional
terrific
wonderful
imitable
special
archetypical
prime
ideal
fine
stellar
marvelous
absolute
fantastic
flawless
choice
superlative
nonpareil
sensational
superior
impeccable
marvellous
splendid
fabulous
unsurpassed
primo
top
sterling
nifty
groovy
capital
dandy
grand
first-rate
banner
crackerjack
fancy
keen
par excellence
swell
top-notch
bang-up
first-class
tip-top
wizard
high-grade
jim-dandy
A-OK
A1

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unsatisfactory
bad
substandard
inadequate
poor
typical
representative
disappointing
normal
execrable
inferior
vile
atrocious
wretched
deficient
average
ordinary
low-grade
failed
mediocre
second-rate
second-class

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of definitive are conclusive, decisive, and determinative. While all these words mean "bringing to an end," definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.

the definitive biography

In some situations, the words conclusive and definitive are roughly equivalent. However, conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.

conclusive evidence

The synonyms decisive and definitive are sometimes interchangeable, but decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.

a decisive battle

The meanings of determinative and definitive largely overlap; however, determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.

the determinative factor in the court's decision

单词	definitive
释义	definitive 1 of 2 adjective de·fin·i·tive di-ˈfi-nə-tiv 1 : serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation a definitive victory could not give a definitive diagnosis 2 : authoritative and apparently exhaustive a definitive critical biography 3 a : serving to define or specify precisely established definitive guidelines for sentencing criminals b : serving as a perfect example : quintessential a definitive bourgeois A slow race is the definitive Leechfield competition. You win it by coming in last. Mary Karr 4 biology : fully differentiated or developed a definitive organ 5 of a postage stamp : issued as a regular stamp for the country or territory in which it is to be used definitively adverb definitiveness noun definitive 2 of 2 noun : a postage stamp issued as a regular stamp for the country or territory in which it is to be used : a definitive (see definitive entry 1 sense 5) postage stamp compare provisional Did you know? Something definitive is complete and final. A definitive example is the perfect example. A definitive answer is usually a strong yes or no. A definitive biography contains everything we'll ever need to know about someone. Ella Fitzgerald's famous 1950s recordings of American songs have even been called definitive--but no one ever wanted them to be the last. Synonyms Adjective authoritative classic classical magisterial See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective We need a definitive answer to this question. The court has issued a definitive ruling. a definitive collection of the band's albums Recent Examples on the Web Adjective Mike Rosenthal doesn’t know if there’s one definitive Charles Wright story. Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Sep. 2022 Mary Kay Cabot has the definitive story on the decision, which the NFL can appeal. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 2 Aug. 2022 The animated sci-fi adventure shares the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the Toy Story action figure character, which was voiced by Tim Allen. Amethyst Tate, PEOPLE.com, 19 July 2022 The animated sci-fi action-adventure is the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2022 What the definitive story of an individual is is hard to say. Mary Cadden, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is The definitive story of how The Godfather was made, and how the film had to deal with the real-life mob during production. Emily Burack, Town & Country, 26 May 2022 The series tells the definitive story of the Malaysian Airlines flight’s disappearance through the eyes of those closest to the tragedy: the victims’ families. Manori Ravindran, Variety, 6 Apr. 2022 This is the definitive story of Hamid Hayat, a man wrongfully convicted of terrorism, sentenced to prison on his 25th birthday, and finally set free after 14 years behind bars. Longreads, 2 Mar. 2022 Noun The road toward answering this question with a definitive yes doesn’t end with one game. Stephen Means, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 Now, Lauper is taking that iconic line and lending it to Sony Music Entertainment as the title of her forthcoming definitive, career-spanning documentary. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English diffynytif, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French diffinitif "final, decisive," borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfīnītīvus, diffīnītīvus, going back to Latin dēfīnītīvus "involving definition," from dēfīnītus "limited, clearly defined" (past participle of dēfīnīre "to mark the limits of, determine, define") + -īvus -ive Noun derivative of definitive entry 1 First Known Use Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun 1951, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing definitive definitive host definitive host Medical Definition definitive adjective de·fin·i·tive di-ˈfin-ət-iv : fully differentiated or developed a definitive organ definitive adjective 1 as in authoritative being the most accurate and apparently thorough the definitive work on the attack on Pearl Harbor Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance authoritative comprehensive conclusive classical classic accurate official magisterial decisive approved correct exhaustive complete thorough sanctioned 2 as in conclusive serving to put an end to all debate or questioning a definitive answer that put an immediate end to the discussion Synonyms & Similar Words conclusive decisive clear last determinative definite determinate deciding absolute irrefutable compelling indisputable unequivocal incontrovertible unquestionable unambiguous inarguable incontestable convincing undeniable positive undisputable indubitable dispositive unanswerable undebatable undisputed cogent uncontested persuasive sure unchallenged telling hands-down certain Antonyms & Near Antonyms inconclusive unclear doubtful ambiguous questionable problematic debatable problematical disputable controversial equivocal indecisive moot refutable disputed doubtable debated See More 3 as in explicit so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning the insurance company's definitive statement on the types of surgical operations that are covered Synonyms & Similar Words explicit definite specific comprehensive unequivocal unambiguous unmistakable express complete clear-cut literal precise clear full comprehensible simple exhaustive univocal specified stated distinct categorical declared exact direct lucid straightforward certain intelligible avowed categoric sure understandable well-defined plain Antonyms & Near Antonyms ambiguous implicit obscure unclear inferred enigmatic cryptic implied dark vague inaccurate incorrect imprecise equivocal indefinite inexact circuitous enigmatical incomprehensible unintelligible inexplicit unspecific See More 4 as in classic constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade is often cited as the definitive hard-boiled private detective Synonyms & Similar Words classic exemplary perfect excellent quintessential unique model textbook superb paradigmatic archetypal great exceptional terrific wonderful imitable special archetypical prime ideal fine stellar marvelous absolute fantastic flawless choice superlative nonpareil sensational superior impeccable marvellous splendid fabulous unsurpassed primo top sterling nifty groovy capital dandy grand first-rate banner crackerjack fancy keen par excellence swell top-notch bang-up first-class tip-top wizard high-grade jim-dandy A-OK A1 Antonyms & Near Antonyms unsatisfactory bad substandard inadequate poor typical representative disappointing normal execrable inferior vile atrocious wretched deficient average ordinary low-grade failed mediocre second-rate second-class See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of definitive are conclusive, decisive, and determinative. While all these words mean "bringing to an end," definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent. the definitive biography In some situations, the words conclusive and definitive are roughly equivalent. However, conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning. conclusive evidence The synonyms decisive and definitive are sometimes interchangeable, but decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty. a decisive battle The meanings of determinative and definitive largely overlap; however, determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction. the determinative factor in the court's decision
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definitive

adjective

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing definitive

Medical Definition

adjective

adjective

Synonym Chooser