definite
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definite
precise; exact; positive; certain: a definite decision; specific: a definite time; particular; well-defined
Not to be confused with:
definitive – reliable; complete: the definitive works of Shakespeare; satisfying all criteria: a definitive scientific study; absolute, ultimate, supreme
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
def·i·nite
(dĕf′ə-nĭt)adj.
1.
a. Clearly defined; explicitly precise: a definite statement of the terms of the will. See Synonyms at explicit.
b. Forthright and unambiguous: The doctor was very definite about what foods you should avoid.
2. Clearly developed or firmly decided: no definite idea of what to do for a career.
3. Readily distinguished or certain: at a definite disadvantage.
4. Grammar Limiting or particularizing.
5. Botany
a. Of a fixed number usually less than 20, as certain floral organs, especially stamens.
b. Cymose; determinate.
[Middle English diffinite, defined, from Latin dēfīnītus, past participle of dēfīnīre, to define; see define.]
def′i·nite·ly adv.
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).
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.
definite
(ˈdɛfɪnɪt)adj
1. clearly defined; exact; explicit
2. having precise limits or boundaries
3. known for certain; sure: it is definite that they have won.
4. (Botany) botany
a. denoting a type of growth in which the main stem ends in a flower, as in a cymose inflorescence; determinate
b. (esp of flower parts) limited or fixed in number in a given species
[C15: from Latin dēfīnītus limited, distinct; see define]
ˈdefiniteness n
definitude n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
def•i•nite
(ˈdɛf ə nɪt)adj.
1. clearly defined or determined; precise.
2. having fixed limits.
3. positive; certain.
4. defining; limiting.
5. (of an inflorescence) determinate.
def′i•nite•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Adj. | 1. | definite - precise; explicit and clearly defined; "I want a definite answer"; "a definite statement of the terms of the will"; "a definite amount"; "definite restrictions on the sale of alcohol"; "the wedding date is now definite"; "a definite drop in attendance" clear - readily apparent to the mind; "a clear and present danger"; "a clear explanation"; "a clear case of murder"; "a clear indication that she was angry"; "gave us a clear idea of human nature" defined - clearly characterized or delimited; "lost in a maze of words both defined and undefined"; "each child has clearly defined duties" distinct - easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined; "a distinct flavor"; "a distinct odor of turpentine"; "a distinct outline"; "the ship appeared as a distinct silhouette"; "distinct fingerprints" explicit, expressed - precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication; "explicit instructions"; "she made her wishes explicit"; "explicit sexual scenes" indefinite - vague or not clearly defined or stated; "must you be so indefinite?"; "amorphous blots of color having vague and indefinite edges"; "he would not answer so indefinite a proposal" |
2. | definite - known for certain; "it is definite that they have won" certain - established beyond doubt or question; definitely known; "what is certain is that every effect must have a cause"; "it is certain that they were on the bus"; "his fate is certain"; "the date for the invasion is certain" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
definite
adjective
1. specific, exact, precise, clear, particular, express, determined, fixed, black-and-white, explicit, clear-cut, cut-and-dried (informal), clearly defined It's too soon to give a definite answer.
specific general, confused, loose, obscure, vague, unclear, fuzzy, indefinite, hazy, indeterminate, imprecise, ill-defined, indistinct, undetermined, inexact
specific general, confused, loose, obscure, vague, unclear, fuzzy, indefinite, hazy, indeterminate, imprecise, ill-defined, indistinct, undetermined, inexact
2. clear, explicit, black-and-white, clear-cut, unequivocal, unambiguous, guaranteed, cut-and-dried (informal) We didn't have any definite proof.
3. noticeable, marked, clear, decided, striking, noted, particular, obvious, dramatic, considerable, remarkable, apparent, evident, distinct, notable, manifest, conspicuous There has been a definite improvement.
4. certain, decided, sure, settled, convinced, positive, confident, assured She is very definite about her feelings.
certain uncertain, undecided
certain uncertain, undecided
Usage: Definite and definitive should be carefully distinguished. Definite indicates precision and firmness, as in a definite decision. Definitive includes these senses but also indicates conclusiveness. A definite answer indicates a clear and firm answer to a particular question; a definitive answer implies an authoritative resolution of a complex question.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
definite
adjective1. Having distinct limits:
2. Without any doubt:
3. Known positively:
Idiom: for certain.
4. Clearly, fully, and sometimes emphatically expressed:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
definite
[ˈdefɪnɪt] ADJ1. (= fixed) [time, offer, plan] → definitivo; [decision, agreement] → final
I don't have any definite plans → no tengo ningún plan definitivo
are you ready to make a definite order? → ¿puede mandarnos ya un pedido en firme?
it is definite that he will retire → ya es seguro or definitivo que se jubilará
14 September is definite for the trip → el 14 de septiembre es la fecha definitiva para el viaje
nothing definite → nada definitivo
I don't intend to go, and that's definite → no pienso ir, y no voy a cambiar de idea
is that definite? → ¿es seguro?
I don't have any definite plans → no tengo ningún plan definitivo
are you ready to make a definite order? → ¿puede mandarnos ya un pedido en firme?
it is definite that he will retire → ya es seguro or definitivo que se jubilará
14 September is definite for the trip → el 14 de septiembre es la fecha definitiva para el viaje
nothing definite → nada definitivo
I don't intend to go, and that's definite → no pienso ir, y no voy a cambiar de idea
is that definite? → ¿es seguro?
2. (= clear) [improvement, advantage] → indudable; [feeling, impression] → inequívoco; [increase] → claro
he had a definite advantage → tuvo una ventaja indudable
it's a definite possibility → es una posibilidad clara
there is a definite possibility that we will get the contract → está claro que existe la posibilidad de que consigamos el contrato, es muy posible que consigamos el contrato
he had a definite advantage → tuvo una ventaja indudable
it's a definite possibility → es una posibilidad clara
there is a definite possibility that we will get the contract → está claro que existe la posibilidad de que consigamos el contrato, es muy posible que consigamos el contrato
3. (= sure)
are you definite about that? → ¿estás seguro de eso?
to know sth for definite → saber algo con seguridad
I don't know or can't say for definite yet → no lo sé seguro todavía, no puedo asegurarlo todavía
are you definite about that? → ¿estás seguro de eso?
to know sth for definite → saber algo con seguridad
I don't know or can't say for definite yet → no lo sé seguro todavía, no puedo asegurarlo todavía
4. (= emphatic) [manner, tone] → firme, terminante; [views, opinions] → firme
he was very definite about it → lo dijo de forma categórica
he was very definite about wanting to resign → dijo categóricamente que quería dimitir
he was very definite about it → lo dijo de forma categórica
he was very definite about wanting to resign → dijo categóricamente que quería dimitir
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
definite
(ˈdefinit) adjective clear; fixed or certain. I'll give you a definite answer later.definitivo
ˈdefinitely adverb clearly or certainly. She definitely said I wasn't to wait; Her dress is definitely not red.definitivamente
definite article the name given to the word the artículo definido
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
definite
→ definitivoMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009