definite

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(dĕf'ə-nĭt) pronunciation
adj.
  1. Having distinct limits: definite restrictions on the sale of alcohol.
  2. Indisputable; certain: a definite victory.
  3. Clearly defined; explicitly precise: a definite statement of the terms of the will. See synonyms at explicit.
  4. Grammar. Limiting or particularizing.
  5. Botany.
    1. Of a specified number not exceeding 20, as certain floral organs, especially stamens.
    2. Cymose; determinate.

[Middle English diffinite, defined, from Latin dēfīnītus, past participle of dēfīnīre, to define. See define.]

definitely def'i·nite·ly adv.
definiteness def'i·nite·ness n.

USAGE NOTE   Definite and definitive both apply to what is precisely defined or explicitly set forth. But definitive most often refers specifically to a judgment or description that serves as a standard or reference point for others, as in the definitive decision of the court (which sets forth a final resolution of a judicial matter) or the definitive biography of Nelson (that is, the biography that sets the standard against which all other accounts of Nelson's life must be measured).


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adjective

  1. Having distinct limits: determinate, fixed, limited. See limited/unlimited.
  2. Without any doubt: clear, clear-cut, decided, distinct, pronounced, unquestionable. See certain/uncertain.
  3. Known positively: certain, positive, sure. Idioms: for certain. See certain/uncertain.
  4. Clearly, fully, and sometimes emphatically expressed: categorical, clear, clear-cut, decided, explicit, express, positive, precise, specific, unambiguous, unequivocal. See clear/unclear.


adj

Definition: exact, clear
Antonyms: imprecise, indefinite, indistinct, inexact, not clear, obscure, uncertain, unclear, undefined, vague

adj

Definition: fixed, certain, positive
Antonyms: indeterminate, inexact, uncertain, unfixed, unlimited, vague

Word Tutor:

definite

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pronunciation

IN BRIEF: Having an exact signification or positive meaning; precise.

pronunciation The beginning of an acquaintance whether with persons or things is to get a definite outline of our ignorance. — George Eliot (1819-1880).

Tutor's tip: He was "definite" (precise; positive) about which "difinitive" (a special postage stamp used as part of a series) he needed to have a "definitive" (conclusive) stamp collection.

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Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'definite'

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to definite, see:

  See crossword solutions for the clue Definite.
Misspellings:

definite

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Common misspelling(s) of definite

  • definate
  • definit

Translations:

Definite

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Dansk (Danish)
adj. - nøje bestemt, afgjort, klar, endelig

idioms:

  • definite article    bestemt artikel

Nederlands (Dutch)
definitief, duidelijk, stellig, precies, bepaald

Français (French)
adj. - bien défini, précis, net, très visible, manifeste, déterminé, certain, sûr, assuré (un ton), catégorique, (Math) définie (intégrale)

idioms:

  • definite article    (Ling) article indéfini

Deutsch (German)
adj. - genau abgegrenzt, bestimmt, endgültig

idioms:

  • definite article    bestimmter Artikel

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj. - περιορισμένος, που έχει όρια, καθορισμένος, ορισμένος, σαφής, συγκεκριμένος

idioms:

  • definite article    (γραμμ.) οριστικό άρθρο

Italiano (Italian)
determinato, deciso, definitivo

idioms:

  • definite article    articolo determinativo

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - definido, limitado

idioms:

  • definite article    artigo (m) definido

Русский (Russian)
определенный, постоянный, решающий

idioms:

  • definite article    определенный артикль

Español (Spanish)
adj. - claro, categórico, concreto, definido, seguro

idioms:

  • definite article    artículo definido

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - avgränsad, fastställd, exakt

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
明确的, 一定的

idioms:

  • definite article    定冠词

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 明確的, 一定的

idioms:

  • definite article    定冠詞

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 제한된, 명료한, (문법에서) 한정하는

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 明確な限界のある, 一定の, 明確な, 確かな

idioms:

  • definite article    定冠詞

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) واضح, لا شك فيه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮מוגדר, מוחלט, החלטי, פסקני, ברור‬


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