definitive

definitive — adjective

1. Providing a final answer or resolution to a question or dispute, leaving no poss

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Providing a final answer or resolution to a question or dispute, leaving no possibility for further change or discussion.

例句

The court's definitive ruling ended the three-year legal battle.

attributive: definitive + ruling (legal context)

Noor received a definitive answer from the hospital about the test results.

definitive + answer

同義詞
  • conclusive

    focuses on ending debate by providing proof; common in science and law

  • final

    simply marks the last in a sequence, without the authoritative weight of definitive

  • decisive

    emphasises the ability to settle something quickly or determine an outcome

  • ultimate

    stresses being the last possible stage, often with a sense of highest degree

反義詞

文法句型

definitive + noun (answer/ruling/proof)

be definitive

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal, legal, and scientific contexts. Although occasionally seen in comparative form (more definitive), this use is widely considered imprecise since the concept of finality does not permit degrees.

常見錯誤

❌I need a definitive answer by Friday' (when you simply want a clear decision).
✅I need a definite answer by Friday.
💡definitive implies a final, conclusive settlement; definite means certain or unambiguous without carrying the sense of finality.

2. Considered the most complete, accurate, and authoritative example of its kind, a

2.形容詞C1
釋義

Considered the most complete, accurate, and authoritative example of its kind, against which other examples are measured.

例句

Layla's biography of the composer is widely regarded as the definitive account of his life.

definitive + biography/account/work

Many critics call this recording the definitive version of the piece.

definitive + version

同義詞
  • authoritative

    stresses reliability and trustworthiness as a source; less emphasis on completeness

  • classic

    highlights lasting value and being a model of its kind

  • quintessential

    focuses on being the perfect example of a type

  • exemplary

    emphasises serving as a model to be copied

反義詞

文法句型

definitive + noun (biography/edition/guide)

用法筆記

Almost always appears in attributive position (before the noun). The noun is typically a creative or scholarly work: biography, edition, account, guide, version, study, reference, or collection.

常見錯誤

❌This is the definitive pizza recipe in our family.
✅This is the definitive guide to Italian cooking.
💡definitive in this sense implies widely recognised authority and completeness, not personal preference or tradition.
❌She wrote a definitive article about her holiday.
✅She wrote a definitive study of post-war architecture.
💡the noun must refer to a work that sets a standard; personal or trivial subjects are not appropriate.

3. Giving a clear, exact, and unambiguous statement or description of something, so

3.形容詞C1
釋義

Giving a clear, exact, and unambiguous statement or description of something, so that there is no confusion about its meaning.

例句

The contract includes a definitive statement of each party's responsibilities.

definitive + statement/terms

Reema asked for a definitive list of items that were not allowed in the building.

definitive + list

同義詞
  • precise

    emphasises exactness and attention to detail; less formal than definitive

  • explicit

    stresses that nothing is left implied; often used for instructions

  • specific

    focuses on being particular and detailed rather than general

  • exact

    emphasises complete correspondence to facts or standards

反義詞
  • vague

    not clearly expressed or defined

  • ambiguous

    open to more than one interpretation

  • imprecise

    lacking exactness or accuracy

文法句型

definitive + noun (statement/list/terms)

用法筆記

Typical in legal documents, contracts, regulations, and formal guidelines where precise wording matters. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 focuses on clarity and exactness of expression, while sense 1 focuses on finality and conclusiveness.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher gave a definitive summary of the chapter.
✅The teacher gave a clear summary of the chapter.
💡use definitive (sense 3) only when specifying terms or boundaries precisely; a summary is a shortened version, not a precise specification.