definitive
Americanadjective
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most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like.
the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson.
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serving to define, fix, or specify definitely.
to clarify with a definitive statement.
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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.
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Biology. providing the environment in which a fully developed parasite is able to reproduce, as is provided by a definitive host.
noun
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a defining or limiting word, as an article, a demonstrative, or the like.
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Philately. a stamp that is a regular issue and is usually on sale for an extended period of time.
adjective
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serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive
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most reliable, complete, or authoritative
the definitive reading of a text
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serving to define or outline
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zoology fully developed; complete
the definitive form of a parasite
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(of postage stamps) permanently on sale
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(as noun) a definitive postage stamp
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noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Those fonder of Hawthorne the magical realist will have plenty to appreciate as well, not least of which that Donatello’s true ancestry—whether human or faun—is never definitively established.
Lululemon has previously said the board will review Wilson’s three nominees and will present a formal recommendation regarding them in the company’s definitive proxy statement ahead of its 2026 shareholder meeting.
From Barron's
Discussions about the potential spinoff of businesses including Truth Social are ongoing, and no definitive agreements have been reached, the companies said.
Last year the U.S. experienced something that hasn’t definitively occurred since the Great Depression: More people moved out than moved in.
Now that the Magnificent Seven has definitively weakened and violated a key support level, the next question is whether the decline can be halted at its 200-day moving average.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
