definitive

adjective de·fin·i·tive \ di-ˈfi-nə-tiv \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

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Examples: definitive in a Sentence

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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

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definitively

adverb

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definitiveness

noun

See definitive defined for English-language learners

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Examples of definitive in a Sentence

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 of definitive from the Web

But none of this is definitive, according to the Penn State researchers.

— vinny vella, Philly.com, "$90,000 state grant to help study infestation of Chesco mushroom flies," 5 June 2018
Finally, results that identify your student as behind in some academic areas are not definitive or predictive of your child’s capacity to learn.

— bill mchenry and eric simpson, star-telegram, "Educators disagree on what we're really learning from statewide STAAR tests? Here are two views," 1 June 2018
The boy saw a fin of what may have been a shark, though officials weren’t definitive.

— ryan gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Mount Dora man catches small shark, it bites him, Volusia beach officials say," 27 May 2018
Research suggesting a low reoffense risk for first-time offenders who consistently deny guilt, the second Luke, is far less definitive.

— SI.com, "Prospect and Pariah," 16 May 2018
Wasn’t this definitive proof that the system is obsolete, and the franchise’s reign as a trendsetter is over?

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "Across NBA, Spurs’ influence still spreading," 5 May 2018
But investigators could come up with no definitive proof that he was connected to the Gorenberg murder.

— juan ortega, www.feloniousflorida.com, "Randi," 1 May 2018
Offensive line coach Greg Studrawa was a little more definitive on Wednesday about Munford's move to left tackle being a permanent thing.

— bill landis, cleveland.com, "Why Thayer Munford and Isaiah Prince flipped tackle spots coming out of spring," 19 Apr. 2018
Although genetics is often discussed when considering trophy fish and game, there is no definitive walleye study to indicate a certain area or watershed of Wisconsin has a superior genetic make-up for big fish.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: The Wisconsin walleye record has stood since 1933. These five waters have the best potential to top it.," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'definitive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of definitive

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

definitive Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of definitive

conclusive, decisive, determinative, definitive mean bringing to an end. conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning.

- conclusive evidence

decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty.

- a decisive battle

determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction.

- the determinative factor in the court's decision

definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent.

- the definitive biography

definitive

noun

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