definite

[def-uh-nit] /ˈdɛf ə nɪt/

adjective

clearly defined or determined; not vague or general; fixed; precise; exact:

a definite quantity; definite directions.

having fixed limits; bounded with precision:

a definite area.

positive; certain; sure:

It is definite that he will take the job.

defining; limiting.

Botany. (of an inflorescence) determinate.

Origin

1520-30; < Latin dēfīnītus limited, precise, past participle of dēfīnīre; see define, -ite²

Related forms

definiteness, noun

nondefinite, adjective

nondefinitely, adverb

nondefiniteness, noun

quasi-definite, adjective

quasi-definitely, adverb

semidefinite, adjective

semidefinitely, adverb

semidefiniteness, noun

undefinite, adjective

undefinitely, adverb

undefiniteness, noun

Can be confused

definite, definitive.

Synonyms

1. specific, particular. 2. well-defined.

Examples from the web for definite

Until recently, severe spinal cord injuries came with a fairly definite diagnosis of paralysis, whether partial or complete.
I'm really grateful to you for finding some mistakes with my definite and indefinite articles.
Leaves have definite stalks.
In fact, merely polling soon began to elicit a definite aura of politics.
But there's a definite increase in the number of cases we're seeing.
The answer is a definite no.
Set definite boundaries and stick to them.
Corruption, though it seems to be everywhere, is hard to define and has no definite antidote.
But at each step of the complex operations involved, each bit has a definite value.
This isn't a flawless cookbook, but for the burger lover, it's got definite appeal.

British Dictionary definitions for definite

definite

/ˈdɛfɪnɪt/

adjective

clearly defined; exact; explicit

having precise limits or boundaries

known for certain; sure: it is definite that they have won

(botany)

denoting a type of growth in which the main stem ends in a flower, as in a cymose inflorescence; determinate
(esp of flower parts) limited or fixed in number in a given species

Derived Forms

definiteness, noun
definitude (dɪˈfɪnɪˌtjuːd) noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin dēfīnītus limited, distinct; see define

Word Origin and History for definite

adj.

1550s, from Latin definitus "defined, bounded, limited," past participle of definire (see define). Definite means "defined, clear, precise, unmistakable;" definitive means "having the character of finality."