definitive

reliable; complete: the definitive works of Shakespeare; satisfying all criteria: a definitive scientific study; absolute, ultimate, supreme

Not to be confused with:

definite – precise; exact; positive; certain: a definite decision; specific: a definite time; particular; well-defined

de·fin·i·tive

(dĭ-fĭn′ĭ-tĭv)

adj.

1. Serving to define or identify as distinct from others: "The Enlightenment pushed this project further trying to make science and its hallmark method definitive of the rational life" (Peter Machamer).

2. Supplying or being a final settlement or decision; conclusive: "The fall of the city Constantine had founded marked the definitive end of the Christian Eastern Empire" (James Carroll). See Synonyms at decisive.

3. Authoritative and complete: a definitive biography. See Usage Note at definite.

4. Mass produced in indefinite quantities over an indefinite period of time. Used of postage stamps.

5. Biology Fully formed or developed, as an organ or structure.

1. Grammar A word that defines or limits, such as the definite article or a demonstrative pronoun.

2. A definitive postage stamp.

de·fin′i·tive·ly adv.

de·fin′i·tive·ness n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

definitive

(dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv)

adj

1. serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive

2. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) most reliable, complete, or authoritative: the definitive reading of a text.

3. serving to define or outline

4. (Zoology) zoology fully developed; complete: the definitive form of a parasite.

5. (Philately)

a. (of postage stamps) permanently on sale

b. (as noun) a definitive postage stamp

(Grammar) grammar a word indicating specificity of reference, such as the definite article or a demonstrative adjective or pronoun

deˈfinitively adv

deˈfinitiveness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

de•fin•i•tive

(dɪˈfɪn ɪ tɪv)

adj.

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

2. serving to define or specify definitely: a definitive statement.

3. satisfying all criteria: the definitive treatment for an infection.

4. Biol. fully developed; complete.

5. a postage stamp on sale for an extended period of time, usu. part of a set of similar design and differing denominations.

[1350–1400; < Old French < Latin]

de•fin′i•tive•ly, adv.

de•fin′i•tive•ness, n.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.	1.	definitive - clearly defined or formulated; "the plain and unequivocal language of the laws"- R.B.Taney unequivocal explicit, expressed - precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication; "explicit instructions"; "she made her wishes explicit"; "explicit sexual scenes"
	2.	definitive - of recognized authority or excellence; "the definitive work on Greece"; "classical methods of navigation" classic, classical, authoritative standard - established or well-known or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence; "a standard reference work"; "the classical argument between free trade and protectionism"
	3.	definitive - supplying or being a final or conclusive settlement; "a definitive verdict"; "a determinate answer to the problem" determinate conclusive - forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question; "conclusive proof"; "the evidence is conclusive"

definitive

adjective

1. final, convincing, absolute, clinching, decisive, definite, conclusive, irrefutable No one has come up with a definitive answer to that question.

2. authoritative, greatest, ultimate, reliable, most significant, exhaustive, superlative, mother of all (informal) It is still the definitive book on the islands.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

definitive

adjective

Serving the function of deciding or settling with finality:

authoritative, conclusive, decisive, determinative, final.

Translations

definitive

[dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv] ADJ → definitivo
it is the definitive work on Mahler → es la obra más autorizada sobre Mahler

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

definitive

[dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv] adj [answer, judgement, test, book] → définitif/ive

definitive

adj (= decisive) victory, answer → entschieden; (= authoritative) book → maßgeblich (on für); (= defining) term → beschreibend; definitive laws → Rahmengesetze pl

n (= stamp) → Briefmarke f → einer Dauerserie

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

definitive

[dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv] adj → definitivo/a

de·fin·i·tive

a. definitivo; determinado;

___ diagnosis → diagnóstico ___.

definitive

adj definitivo