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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of definitive in a Sentence

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

Buffett,who in 1985 gave one of the stadium’s definitive performances before jumping in the water, died last year without a chance for an encore. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2024

That was God's definitive touching because the music that came out of Motown is priceless. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024

Trending on Billboard Springsteen has previously said that Nebraska, his sixth studio album, is his most definitive work. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024

Morris has yet to issue a definitive ruling on another key issue: the railroad’s claim that its obligation to ship goods for paying customers exempts it from liability. —Matthew Brown, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024

Decoding the sky:A definitive solar eclipse guide for kids (adults also welcome) How long will the total solar eclipse last? Along the way, periods of darkness could last a mere few seconds or, in some cities, could surpass four minutes. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024

Security experts believe Jia Tan is the work of a nation-state actor, with clues largely pointing to Russia, although definitive attribution for the attack is still outstanding. —Dell Cameron Andrew Couts, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024

However, these factors aren’t definitive and everyone reacts differently to CBD. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

As part of the exhibition, there are two digital stations, in partnership with generative AI firm Hypno, that give visitors a chance to take selfies and create their own digital versions of Maison Margiela’s definitive footwear style. —The Editors, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Noun

This past year was, by any definitive, a rough one for the cryptoasset industry, and ended with what looks like a massive fraud being uncovered in the form of FTX. —Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022

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

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

Kids Definition

definitive

adjective

de·​fin·​i·​tive

di-ˈfin-ət-iv

1

: serving to provide a final solution : decisive

a definitive victory

2

: being the most accurate and thorough

the definitive book on the subject

3

: serving to define or specify precisely

definitive laws

definitively adverb

definitiveness noun

Medical Definition

definitive

adjective

de·​fin·​i·​tive di-ˈfin-ət-iv 

: fully differentiated or developed

a definitive organ