definitive

¹de·fin·i·tive

adj \di-ˈfi-nə-tiv\

Definition of DEFINITIVE

1

: serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation <a definitive victory>

2

: authoritative and apparently exhaustive <a definitive edition>

3

a : serving to define or specify precisely <definitive laws> b : serving as a perfect example : quintessential <a definitive bourgeois>

4

: 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

— de·fin·i·tive·ly adverb

— de·fin·i·tive·ness noun

Examples of DEFINITIVE

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

Origin of DEFINITIVE

Middle English diffinityf, from Anglo-French diffinitive, from Latin definitivus, from definitus

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DEFINITIVE

Synonyms: authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial

Antonyms: inconclusive, indecisive, unclear

Related Words: conclusive, decisive; approved, official, sanctioned; accurate, correct; complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, thorough

Near Antonyms: debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, moot, problematic (also problematical), questionable, refutable; ambiguous, equivocal; controversial, debated, disputed

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at conclusive

Rhymes with DEFINITIVE

carminative, infinitive