Definition of definite
1 : having distinct or certain limits set definite standards for pupils to meet … the side striking the new coin is flattened and less definite. — Jed Stevenson
2a : free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity demanded a definite answer Her position on the issue was definite.b : unquestionable, decided the quarterback was a definite hero today a definite masterpiece saw a definite improvement in her grades
3 grammar : typically designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing the definite article the
4a of floral organs : being constant in number, usually less than 20, and occurring in multiples of the petal number stamens definiteb : cymose a definite inflorescence
definitely
adverbdefiniteness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of definite in a Sentence
We'll need a definite answer by Tuesday.
The answer is a definite no.
I don't know anything definite yet.
The teacher sets definite standards for her students.
She seems to be pretty definite about leaving.
I am definite that we will win.
Recent Examples of definite from the Web
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But in an age of terrorism, the chronicle of how a sedate heiress named Patricia morphed into a gun-toting, invective-spouting revolutionary calling herself Tania holds a definite fascination.
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The company did not announce any definite plans to do so.
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I’ve always thought of the Southern Californian, definite article-bearing freeway as an honorific.
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With the borders shut, there is a big buildup of people and a definite danger of a bad humanitarian situation taking hold in Greece.
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What starts out as a collective expression of consciousness, having no authors and no definite forms, converts inevitably into a fractured universe of celebrity and money.
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A definite win on the sandwich level, with all the parts clicking into a satisfying whole.
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On television, people respond to my definite view of the world.
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Cooked in the oven, this same cut of meat would be crispy on the outside and have a very definite oven-roasted flavor.
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Spelling: It's definite NOT definate
This word can be tricky to spell because its last syllable has that amorphous schwa sound as its vowel.
To remember that the word ends in ite and not ate you can think of a few things:
The word definite doesn't go on forever; it's finite. (Get it? deFINITE.)
The etymology of definite can also be useful in remembering the word's spelling. Definite traces back to the Latin word finire meaning "to limit, end, FINISH." Connect finish to definite and voilà: you can definitely spell definite correctly.
Origin and Etymology of definite
Latin definitus, past participle of definire —see define
First Known Use: 1553
Synonym Discussion of definite
DEFINITE Defined for Kids
definite
playDefinition of definite for Students
1 : having certain or distinct limits a definite period of time
2 : clear in meaning a definite answer
3 : unquestionable Your grades show a definite improvement.
definitely
adverbLearn More about definite
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for definite Spanish Central: Translation of definite Nglish: Translation of definite for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of definite for Arabic speakers
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