What Is the Difference between "Definite" and "Definitive"?
The Quick Answer
Definitive means conclusive.
Definite and Definitive
Writers sometimes confuse definite and definitive because their meanings are close and they look similar. However, there is a clear distinction between the two words.Definite
The adjective definite means known for certain or precise.Examples:
- Is it definite that the plane has left?
- I can't make sense of your invoices. I need to know the definite amount.
Definitive
The adjective definitive means conclusive or authoritativeExamples:
- This is the definitive paper on the company's holdings.
- Was that the judge's definitive verdict?
A Quick Test
Beware!
Definitely Not Definate
There is no such word as definate, which is a very common misspelling of definite. Definately does not exist either.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
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