definitive

[ dih-fin-i-tiv ]

adjective

1. most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like:

   the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson.

2. serving to define, fix, or specify definitely:

   to clarify with a definitive statement.

3. having its fixed and final form; providing a solution or final answer; satisfying all criteria:

   the definitive treatment for an infection; a definitive answer to a dilemma.

   Synonyms: supreme, ultimate, absolute, complete

4. Biology. providing the environment in which a fully developed parasite is able to reproduce, as is provided by a definitive host.

noun

1. a defining or limiting word, as an article, a demonstrative, or the like.
2. Philately. a stamp that is a regular issue and is usually on sale for an extended period of time. Compare commemorative ( def 2 ).

definitive

/ dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv /

adjective

1. serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive
2. most reliable, complete, or authoritative

   the definitive reading of a text

3. serving to define or outline
4. zoology fully developed; complete

   the definitive form of a parasite

5. 1. (of postage stamps) permanently on sale
   2. as noun a definitive postage stamp

noun

1. grammar a word indicating specificity of reference, such as the definite article or a demonstrative adjective or pronoun

Derived Forms

• deˈfinitiveness, noun
• deˈfinitively, adverb

Other Words From

• de·fin·i·tive·ly adverb
• de·fin·i·tive·ness noun
• non·de·fin·i·tive adjective
• non·de·fin·i·tive·ness noun
• un·de·fin·i·tive adjective
• un·de·fin·i·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of definitive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin dēfīnītīvus, equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) ( definite ) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )

Example Sentences

Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, called the decision by the court a “total and definitive victory for President Trump” and said that Trump’s “legal team is moving to get it dismissed once and for all.”

From Salon

Nevertheless, Trump's spokesman Steven Cheung - who has been tapped to serve as White House director of communications - declared "total and definitive victory".

From BBC

This is not the definitive book on the show but I learned all these stories I never knew.

From Los Angeles Times

He said seeing the memorabilia go to new homes marked a definitive end of a wonderful era that "for Gail and I at least, began in the 1950s".

From BBC

Forty years after they began the task – and nearly four hundred years after receiving their first commission – sages in Paris have finally produced a new edition of the definitive French dictionary.

From BBC

Related Words

• actual
• categorical
• clear-cut
• conclusive
• decisive
• definite
• exhaustive
• precise
• reliable
• specific
• ultimate
• unambiguous