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# definitive

adjective (definitive; more definitive)

«definitive» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Final and settled, so that nobody can argue with or change it: «a definitive answer». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#m1)
2. The best, most complete or most trusted version of something: «the definitive guide to sharks». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#m2)
3. (stamps) Definitive stamps are the ordinary, long-running stamps, not special issues. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#m3)

### In the lessons

In school and science, a «definitive answer» or «definitive proof» is one that settles a question beyond doubt; scientists are often careful to say results are «not yet definitive». In book and film reviews, «the definitive version» is the best one. Phrases: «a definitive answer», «definitive proof», «the definitive guide», «definitive list».

### Examples

- We still have no definitive answer to how big the universe is. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#x1)
- This is the definitive guide to British birds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#x2)
- The test gave definitive proof that the water was safe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#x3)
- Mum's answer was a definitive «No». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#x4)
- Is this the definitive list of winners? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#x5)
- The scientists said the result was exciting but not definitive. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/#x6)

### Note

Do not confuse with «definite» (clear and sure: «a definite yes»). «Definitive» is stronger: final and authoritative. Adverb: «definitively». Said «dih-FIN-uh-tiv».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «definitive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/definitive/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«definitive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/definitive.html) on Mova free.