definitive
gb/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv/ us/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv/
C1
Inglés
~ 6000
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
C1
property
1
final and not changeable
Final and complete, so that it will not be changed or argued about anymore.
Patrón de uso:
a definitive [decision/diagnosis/answer/agreement]
Error frecuente:
Learners often confuse 'definitive' with 'definite'. Use 'definitive' mainly before nouns like 'answer', 'decision', 'diagnosis', 'agreement' when you mean final and not to be changed. Use 'definite' to mean 'clear' or 'certain' by itself or before more general nouns, e.g. 'a definite plan', 'I'm not definite about the date' (though 'I'm not sure' is more natural).
Sinónimos
final (More common and basic; lacks the formal or technical tone that 'definitive' often has.)
|
conclusive (Emphasizes that no further doubt or debate is possible; slightly more formal than 'final'.)
Antónimos
provisional (Describes something that is only temporary and may change later, the opposite of a definitive result.)
|
tentative (Suggests something is not yet fixed or certain, unlike a definitive decision.)
Colocaciones
definitive decision
|definitive diagnosis
|definitive answer
|definitive agreement
|definitive ruling
|definitive conclusion
Temas
law
|business
|medicine
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The committee reached a definitive decision after reviewing all the evidence.
- Doctors were hesitant to give a definitive diagnosis until more tests came back.
- There is still no definitive answer on what caused the crash.
- The two companies signed a definitive agreement to merge next year.
- Until the court issues a definitive ruling, the law remains unclear.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The test results gave a definitive answer.
- We do not have a definitive plan yet.
- After a week, the doctor made a definitive diagnosis.
- The judge will make a definitive decision tomorrow.
- This email is a definitive confirmation of your booking.
adjective
C1
property
2
most authoritative or reliable
The best and most complete example of something, which people accept as the main reference.
Patrón de uso:
the definitive [guide/study/biography/work] on [topic]
Error frecuente:
Learners may overuse 'definitive' when they only mean 'good' or 'useful'. Reserve 'definitive' for cases where something is truly seen as the main or standard reference. For general praise, use 'excellent', 'great', or 'very good' instead. Also, do not say '*more definitive*' in most contexts; something is either definitive or not. Use 'more complete' or 'more detailed' instead.
Sinónimos
authoritative (Focuses on being trusted and respected; does not always imply being the single best or most complete source.)
|
classic (Suggests something is of high quality and lasting value, but not necessarily the most complete or standard reference.)
Antónimos
incomplete (Lacks important information, the opposite of a definitive, fully comprehensive work.)
|
secondary (Indicates something is not the main or leading reference, unlike a definitive work which is primary.)
Colocaciones
definitive guide
|definitive biography
|definitive edition
|definitive study
|definitive collection
|definitive work
Temas
academia
|media
|culture
|education
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Her book is widely regarded as the definitive guide to digital marketing.
- The museum holds the definitive collection of his early paintings.
- That documentary is the definitive account of the scandal.
- This is the definitive biography of the composer, based on newly discovered letters.
- Researchers are still searching for a definitive study that settles the debate.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This is the definitive guide to the city.
- Many people see this film as the definitive version of the story.
- His article became the definitive work on the subject.
- The band released a definitive collection of their best songs.
- That book is the definitive biography of the actor.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
clear and exact in defining
Very clear and exact, so that something is well defined and easy to understand.
Patrón de uso:
a definitive [statement/description/explanation] of [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners may use 'definitive' here when 'clear' or 'precise' is enough. 'Definitive' in this sense is formal and often used in written reports, laws, or academic writing, not in casual speech.
Sinónimos
precise (Highlights exactness and detail; does not always suggest that something is final or standard.)
|
clear-cut (More informal; stresses that something is easy to see or understand with no confusion.)
Antónimos
vague (Lacks clarity and exact detail, the opposite of a definitive, clearly defined description.)
|
ambiguous (Has more than one possible meaning, unlike a definitive, unambiguous statement.)
Colocaciones
definitive statement
|definitive description
|definitive explanation
|definitive outline
|definitive formulation
|definitive terms
Temas
language
|academia
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The report fails to provide a definitive statement of the project's goals.
- We need a more definitive description of the target audience.
- The treaty includes a definitive outline of each country's responsibilities.
- Her article offers the first definitive explanation of how the system works.
- Without a definitive definition of the term, the law is difficult to apply.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The rules do not give a definitive definition of this word.
- Please write a definitive description of your job.
- The teacher gave a definitive explanation of the grammar point.
- We still do not have a definitive statement of the plan.
- The contract needs a more definitive outline of our duties.
adjective
technical
C2
property
4
regular long-term postage stamp
Used about stamps: a normal stamp that is used every day for a long time, not a special or limited stamp.
Patrón de uso:
a definitive [stamp/series/issue]
Error frecuente:
Non-specialists may mix up 'definitive' and 'definite' when talking about stamps. In philately, the technical word is 'definitive stamp', not 'definite stamp'.
Sinónimos
regular (Everyday and standard, but does not carry the specific philatelic meaning of 'definitive'.)
Antónimos
commemorative (In stamp collecting, a special, short-term stamp marking an event, contrasting with a long-term definitive issue.)
Colocaciones
definitive stamp
|definitive issue
|definitive series
|definitive set
|new definitive
|long-running definitive
Temas
hobbies
|commerce
|daily_life
|communication
Ejemplos
- The post office released a new definitive series featuring native birds.
- Collectors often buy full sheets of definitive stamps for everyday use and for their albums.
- This definitive issue remained in circulation for more than twenty years.
- The design for the next definitive stamp has already been approved.
- Unlike commemoratives, definitive stamps are reprinted many times.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He collects every new definitive stamp from his country.
- This is a definitive issue, not a special stamp.
- The post office will change its definitive series next year.
- Definitive stamps are used for normal, everyday mail.
- She bought definitive stamps for sending letters overseas.
Sustantivo
technical
C2
entity
5
a regular long-term stamp
In stamp collecting, a normal stamp that is used every day for a long time.
Patrón de uso:
to issue a new definitive
Error frecuente:
Learners may not recognize 'definitive' as a noun and try to say '*definitive stamp*' every time. In philatelic English, people often just say 'a definitive' when the context is clear.
Sinónimos
regular stamp (A descriptive phrase, not a technical term; lacks the specialized collecting sense of 'definitive'.)
Antónimos
commemorative (The usual contrasting category of stamp, issued briefly to mark events rather than for long-term use.)
Colocaciones
a new definitive
|high-value definitive
|low-value definitive
|stamp definitives
|definitives and commemoratives
Temas
hobbies
|commerce
|daily_life
|communication
Ejemplos
- The post office plans to replace its current definitives next year.
- Many collectors specialize in high-value definitives from the 1950s.
- These definitives were printed on different types of paper over the years.
- He showed me a rare error found on a common definitive.
- As definitives, these stamps were in use for more than a decade.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This stamp is a definitive, not a special issue.
- The new definitives show pictures of famous writers.
- Collectors sometimes buy many definitives for trade.
- The old definitives are now hard to find in good condition.
- She studies definitives from small island countries.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
definitive
AFI
GB/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv/
US/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv/
Sílabas y acento
defin - it - ive (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (it)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: definitive
Familia de palabras
Core family
Related words
redefine
verb B2
redefinition
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
definable
adjective
indefinable
adjective
definitiveness
noun
Expresiones
definitive agreement
1/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv əɡɹˈimənt/
fixed phrase
formal
final, binding agreement
A final, complete, and legally binding contract between two or more sides.
Ejemplos
- The two companies expect to sign a definitive agreement by the end of the quarter.
- Talks have moved from a nonbinding offer to a definitive agreement.
definitive diagnosis
1/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv dˌaɪəɡnˈoʊsɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
final medical diagnosis
A final medical answer about what illness a person has, with no more doubt.
Ejemplos
- A biopsy is often needed to make a definitive diagnosis of cancer.
- Without more tests, the doctor cannot give a definitive diagnosis.
definitive edition
1/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv ɪdˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
standard complete edition of a work
A special version of a book, music, or film that is complete and is seen as the main standard version.
Ejemplos
- The publisher has released a definitive edition of her collected stories.
- Fans are waiting for a definitive edition of the director's classic films.
definitive ruling
1/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv ɹˈulɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
final legal or official decision
A final decision by a court or other authority that ends discussion on a legal or official question.
Ejemplos
- The supreme court issued a definitive ruling on the case.
- We are still waiting for a definitive ruling from the regulator.
definitive treatment
1/dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv tɹˈitmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
treatment that fully resolves a condition
A medical treatment that is meant to completely fix the problem, not just give short-term relief.
Ejemplos
- Surgery is often the definitive treatment for this type of tumor.
- The patient received pain medication in the emergency room, but definitive treatment was given later in the hospital.
the definitive answer
1/ðə dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv ˈænsɚ/
fixed phrase
final, conclusive answer
The final and complete answer that settles a question so people do not need to ask again.
Ejemplos
- Scientists still have not found the definitive answer to why the disease spreads so quickly.
- The report does not give the definitive answer, but it helps us understand the problem better.
the definitive guide to
1/ðə dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv ɡˈaɪd tə/
fixed phrase
most complete guide on something
A book, article, or video that people see as the best and most complete guide on a topic.
Ejemplos
- This book is the definitive guide to Italian cooking for beginners.
- They released a video series called "The Definitive Guide to Starting a Small Business."