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definite Definition

defi·nite (def′ə nit)

adjective

  1. having exact limits
  2. precise and clear in meaning; explicit
  3. certain; positive it's definite that he'll go
  4. Bot. having a constant number of stamens, etc., less than 20 but always a multiple of the number of petals
  5. Gram. limiting or specifying; referring to a specific or previously identified person, thing, etc. “the” is the definite article

Etymology: L definitus, pp. of definire: see define

definite Related Forms
def′i·nitely adverb def′i·nite·ness noun
definite Synonyms

definite

modif.

  1. Determined with exactness

    fixed, exact, precise, positive, accurate, correct, decisive, absolute, clearly defined, well-defined, circumscribed, limited, bounded, strict, explicit, specific, particular, settled, determinate, decided, prescribed, restricted, assigned, unequivocal, rigorous, special, express, conclusive, formal, categorical, unerring, unimpeachable, to the point, substantially correct, beyond doubt, hard and fast; see also certain 3, determined 1.

    Antonyms obscure*, indefinite, inexact.

  2. Clear in detail

    sharp, distinct, visible, audible, tangible, clear, vivid, minute, unambiguous, unmistakable in meaning, straightforward, obvious, marked, plain, not vague, well-drawn, clearly defined, well-marked, well-defined, clear-cut, explicit, unmistakable, distinguishable, silhouetted, palpable, well-grounded, indubitable, undistorted, crisp, bold, ringing, severe, graphic, downright, in focus, in relief, undisguised, in plain sight, clear as day, standing out like a sore thumb*.

    Antonyms confused*, vague, hazy.

  3. Positive

    certain, sure, beyond doubt, convinced; see certain 1, inevitable. See syn. study at explicit.

definite Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

  • enable: Their agreement was sufficiently definite to enable the surveyors and, pace the courts below, this court, to give it practical meaning.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • have: But I have nothing definite to write the emperor about him.
  • hear: We hope to hear something definite on that this week.
  • get: I will make inquiry and see if I can get anything definite.

Modifies a noun

  • conclusion: These also failed to come to a definite conclusion.
  • no-no: We also never had the SENCO writing them; that is a definite no-no in my LEA.
  • plus: Screenshots are available for each step of the way, which is a definite plus.
  • diagnosis: However, an endoscopy test - with a biopsy of the small bowel lining - is required for a definite diagnosis to be made.
  • advantage: Removing of unwanted material from shed blood is a definite advantage.
  • article: Do not use the definite article ' the ' .

Modifying Another Word

  • sufficiently: Their agreement was sufficiently definite to enable the surveyors and, pace the courts below, this court, to give it practical meaning.
  • very: In his own mind he had a very definite theory about the murder.
  • quite: It's quite definite that the Russians will attack there.
  • fairly: Sophie has always had a fairly definite ideas about who she wanted to be.
  • pretty: When asked recently if he might reprise the series Maupin gave a pretty definite no.
  • almost: However, 7:84 Theater Company sees all funding cease in August and almost definite closure.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: You seem definite about that, what makes you so sure, out of interest?
  • become: This table will be amended as plans become more definite.
  • have: We have definite May Ball performances lined up, and are looking to play other gigs around Cambridge as well.
  • make: It was capable of being made definite without further agreement.
definite Quotes

I'll give you a definite maybe.

—Goldwyn, Sam(uel) originally  Schmuel Gelbfisz

Iown Ilike definiteforminwhat myeyesaretorest upon; and if landscapes were sold, likethe sheets of characters of my boyhood, one penny plain and twopence coloured, I should go the length of twopence every day of my life.

—Stevenson, Robert Louis

Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions, since no definite answerscan, asa rule, be knowntobetrue, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves; because these questions enlarge our conception of what is possible, enrich our intellectual imagination, and diminish the dogmatic assurance which closes the mind against speculation; but above all because, through the greatness of the universe which philosophy contemplates, the mind also is rendered great, and becomes capable of that union with the universe which constitutes its highest good.

—Russell, Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl