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definitive

adjective
de·​fin·​i·​tive | \ di-ˈfi-nÉ™-tiv How to pronounce definitive (audio) \

Definition of definitive

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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
3a : 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

definitive

noun

Definition of definitive (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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
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Other Words from definitive

Adjective

definitively adverb
definitiveness noun

Synonyms for definitive

Synonyms: Adjective

authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial

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Choose the Right Synonym for definitive

Adjective

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

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.

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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 Even though Nicola Segata, a computational biologist from the University of Trento in Italy, finds the latest negative results convincing, gathering definitive proof of a sterile womb will be difficult. — Juanita Bawagan, Science | AAAS, "Babies get critical gut bacteria from their mother at birth, placenta study suggests," 31 July 2019 The science for animal production with regenerative agriculture isn’t definitive, however. — Tara Duggan, SFChronicle.com, "Can chicken fight climate change? Blue Apron founder’s new company bets on carbon-friendly chicken," 4 June 2019 Zodiac does offer its own solution to the mystery of the real killer’s identity, but the answer is in no way definitive, and real-life Zodiac obsessives disagree vehemently about the movie’s conclusions. — Noel Murray, The Verge, "This weekend, stream two David Fincher crime thrillers: Mindhunter season 2 and Zodiac," 16 Aug. 2019 Much of this familiarity originates with Woodstock, Michael Wadleigh’s definitive 1970 Oscar-winning documentary, which provides a readily recognizable portion of Creating Woodstock’s onstage footage. — Justin Lowe, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Creating Woodstock': Film Review," 14 Aug. 2019 Until this century, the only definitive diagnosis of AD occurred after death, in a brain autopsy. — Scientific American, "Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s: Two Experts on Why New Studies Are Encouraging," 13 Aug. 2019 In 2017, the most recent year for which definitive statistics are available, drug overdoses claimed 70,237 lives in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Melissa Healystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "With opioid abuse surging, expert panel recommends drug screening for all U.S. adults," 13 Aug. 2019 Consider this your definitive, must-read while cruising down Highway 27A in your Rove. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Vogue’s Official Guide to the Hamptons," 3 July 2019 So, in honor of Rhode Map’s first Fourth of July bringing you the news, here is a definitive, totally scientific, ranking of the five best places to watch fireworks throughout the week in Rhode Island. 1. — Dan Mcgowan, BostonGlobe.com, "The five best places to watch fireworks in R.I.," 1 July 2019

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.

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First Known Use of definitive

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for definitive

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

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More Definitions for definitive

definitive

adjective
How to pronounce definitive (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of definitive

: not able to be argued about or changed : final and settled
: complete, accurate, and considered to be the best of its kind

See the full definition for definitive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

definitive

adjective
de·​fin·​i·​tive | \ di-ˈfin-É™t-iv How to pronounce definitive (audio) \

Medical Definition of definitive

: fully differentiated or developed a definitive organ

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