definite

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).

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

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

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.

Common misspelling(s) of definite

• definate
• definit

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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