adj
definitive
dih-FIHN-ih-tihv
adj
1
Final and conclusive, settling a matter once and for all.
"The court issued a definitive ruling on the case."
"This is considered the definitive biography of the composer."
How to Use Definitive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe final, authoritative version — nothing more needs to be said or done.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "definite," which just means clear or certain rather than final and authoritative.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
definitive answer
definitive edition
definitive proof
Word Forms
more definitive comparative, definitives plural, most definitive superlative
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Etymology
From Middle French définitif, from the same Latin root as "define."