¹definitive

adjective de·fin·i·tive \di-ˈfi-nə-tiv\

: not able to be argued about or changed : final and settled

: complete, accurate, and considered to be the best of its kind

Full Definition of DEFINITIVE

: serving to provide a final solution or to end a situation <a definitive victory>

: authoritative and apparently exhaustive <a definitive edition>

a : serving to define or specify precisely <definitive laws>

b : serving as a perfect example : quintessential <a definitive bourgeois>

: fully differentiated or developed <a definitive organ>

of a postage stamp : issued as a regular stamp for the country or territory in which it is to be used

— de·fin·i·tive·ly adverb

— de·fin·i·tive·ness noun

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Origin of DEFINITIVE

Middle English diffinityf, from Anglo-French diffinitive, from Latin definitivus, from definitus

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DEFINITIVE

Synonyms: authoritative, classic, classical, magisterial

Antonyms: inconclusive, indecisive, unclear

Synonym Discussion of DEFINITIVE

conclusive, decisive, determinative, definitive mean bringing to an end. conclusive applies to reasoning or logical proof that puts an end to debate or questioning <conclusive evidence>. decisive may apply to something that ends a controversy, a contest, or any uncertainty <a decisive battle>. determinative adds an implication of giving a fixed character or direction <the determinative factor in the court's decision>. definitive applies to what is put forth as final and permanent <the definitive biography>.