Definitive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /di-ˈfi-nə-tiv/ de·fin·i·tive

Meaning & Definition of Definitive

Definitive (adjective)

  1. serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation
  2. authoritative and apparently exhaustive
  3. serving to define or specify precisely

Definitive (noun)

  1. a postage stamp issued as a regular stamp for the country or territory in which it is to be used, a definitive postage stamp

Definitive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being the most accurate and apparently thorough

    "the definitive work on the attack on Pearl Harbor"

    similar: authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial
    related: conclusive, decisive, approved, official, sanctioned, accurate, correct, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, thorough

  2. serving to put an end to all debate or questioning

    "a definitive answer that put an immediate end to the discussion"

    similar: absolute, clear, conclusive, deciding, decisive, last
    related: determinate, determinative, dispositive, hands-down, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefutable, unanswerable, undebatable, undeniable, undisputable, unquestionable, unchallenged, uncontested, undisputed, unambiguous, unequivocal, certain, definite, positive, sure, cogent, compelling, convincing, persuasive, telling
    opposite: inconclusive, indecisive, unclear
    near: debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, moot, problematic, questionable, refutable, ambiguous, equivocal, controversial, debated, disputed

  3. so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning

    "the insurance company's definitive statement on the types of surgical operations that are covered"

    similar: clear-cut, definite, explicit, express, specific, unambiguous, unequivocal, univocal
    related: avowed, declared, specified, stated, categorical, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, full, certain, sure, unmistakable, clear, distinct, lucid, well-defined, exact, precise, direct, literal, plain, simple, straightforward, comprehensible, intelligible, understandable
    opposite: implicit, implied, inferred, ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, indefinite, inexplicit, unspecific, vague
    near: cryptic, dark, enigmatic, obscure, unclear, imprecise, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, incomprehensible, unintelligible

  4. constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated

    "Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade is often cited as the definitive hard-boiled private detective"

    similar: archetypal, classic, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook
    related: ideal, nonpareil, special, unique, absolute, flawless, impeccable, perfect, A-OK, A1, bang-up, banner, capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, excellent, fabulous, fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, nifty, par excellence, prime, primo (slang), sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wizard (chiefly British), wonderful, exceptional, fancy, high-grade
    near: bad, low-grade, poor, substandard, unsatisfactory, atrocious, execrable, vile, wretched, deficient, disappointing, failed, inadequate, inferior, average, normal, ordinary, representative, typical, mediocre, second-class, second-rate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Definitive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Definitive:

authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial, absolute, clear, conclusive, deciding, decisive, last, clear-cut, definite, explicit, express, specific, unambiguous, unequivocal, univocal, archetypal, exemplary, imitable, model, paradigmatic, quintessential, textbook

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Definitive

Words with the opposite meaning of Definitive:

inconclusive, indecisive, unclear, implicit, implied, inferred, ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, indefinite, inexplicit, unspecific, vague

Related Words for Definitive

approved, official, sanctioned, accurate, correct, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, thorough, determinate, determinative, dispositive, hands-down, inarguable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefutable, unanswerable, undebatable, undeniable, undisputable, unquestionable, unchallenged, uncontested, undisputed, certain, positive, sure

Near Antonyms of Definitive

debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, moot, problematic, questionable, refutable, controversial, debated, disputed, cryptic, dark, enigmatic, obscure, imprecise, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, incomprehensible, unintelligible, bad, low-grade, poor, substandard, unsatisfactory, atrocious, execrable, vile, wretched

Word Forms of Definitive

Derived words: definitively (adverb), definitiveness (noun)

Origin & 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

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Definitive

Words & Phrases Containing Definitive

definitive host

Frequently Asked Questions about Definitive

What does "Definitive" mean?

"Definitive" means serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Definitive"?

Other words for "Definitive" include authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial, absolute, clear, conclusive and deciding. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Definitive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Definitive"?

There are 129 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Definitive". Common alternatives include authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial, absolute, clear, conclusive, deciding, decisive and last.

What is the opposite of "Definitive"?

Antonyms of "Definitive" include inconclusive, indecisive, unclear, implicit, implied, inferred, ambiguous and circuitous. Near antonyms include debatable, disputable, doubtable and doubtful.

How do you use "Definitive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Definitive" in a sentence: "the definitive work on the attack on Pearl Harbor"; "a definitive answer that put an immediate end to the discussion"; "the insurance company's definitive statement on the types of surgical operations that are covered".

Is "Definitive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Definitive" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Definitive" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Definitive" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Definitive"?

"Definitive" is pronounced /di-ˈfi-nə-tiv/ and divided into syllables as de·fin·i·tive.