Definite
What it means
Clear, certain, and not open to meaningful doubt or ambiguity.
Reach for it when describing a conclusion, answer, or sign that is firmly established
The inspection found definite evidence that the repair was holding.
Words to choose between 7
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal |
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everyday
Fits when confidence that something is true is the main point
Careful Certain can describe belief even when the evidence is not definite.
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everyday
Fits when something is easy to understand or perceive
Careful Clarity may concern presentation rather than the underlying fact.
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everyday
fixed
Fits when a date, quantity, or boundary will not change
Careful Fixed emphasizes stability, not freedom from ambiguity.
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professional
conclusive
Fits when evidence settles a question or dispute
Careful Conclusive settles the matter too emphatically for a definite plan that could still be revised.
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professional
explicit
Fits when meaning is stated directly rather than implied
Careful An explicit claim may still be false or uncertain.
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professional
specific
Fits when exact details replace a general statement
Careful Specific information can remain tentative.
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formal
Fits when a sign is so distinctive that confusion is unlikely
Careful Unmistakable can overstate ordinary but sufficient evidence.
Opposites 4
- uncertain
- indefinite
- ambiguous
- tentative
Common phrases 4
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definite answer
The laboratory promised a definite answer after the second test.
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definite plan
We have a definite plan for keeping the library open during repairs.
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definite improvement
The revised route produced a definite improvement in journey times.
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nothing definite
Nothing definite emerged until surveyors checked the foundations.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated