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

He’s been played by everybody from Tony Randall to John Malkovich; Peter Ustinov portrayed the deductive sleuth six times, and David Suchet has made a career out of gifting TV viewers with the definitive take on Christie’s murder-mystery icon. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2023

However, Morton-Maxson found himself in a state of anxious anticipation for several weeks, as there was no definitive diagnosis provided, the release stated. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2023

The helm’s distinctive square shapes, extensive use of carbon fiber across the dashboard and futuristic design are definitive reminders of being aboard a Wally. —Giacomo Barbaro, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2023

The race was now on to create the definitive AI detection tool. —Christopher Beam, WIRED, 14 Sep. 2023

To this point, months of House investigations have turned up no evidence of wrongdoing, but McCarthy and conservatives in the House believe an impeachment process may root out the definitive proof of misdeeds that has thus far eluded them. —Grace Segers, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023

Anyone seeking definitive takeaways in the quarterback battle might not be able to find them next weekend. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023

One year later at the same event, Sullivan was less definitive. —Matt Seyler, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023

So much remains unknown about pitcher health – why some get hurt, while others enjoy decades of incident-free hard throwing – and through countless studies, trials and one 384-page bible on the subject, best practices have emerged but not definitive answers. —Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023

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

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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

• 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