definite

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

def·in·ite AW [definite definites] adjective, noun BrE [ˈdefɪnət] NAmE [ˈdefɪnət]
adjective
1. ~ (that…) sure or certain; unlikely to change
• Can you give me a definite answer by tomorrow?
• Is it definite that he's leaving?
•I've heard rumours, but nothing definite.
•a definite offer of a job
•I'm not sure— I can find out for definite if you like.
•That's definite then, is it?
•They have very definite ideas on how to bring up children.
2. easily or clearly seen or understood; obvious
Syn: ↑clear
• The look on her face was a definite sign that something was wrong.
• There was a definite feeling that things were getting worse.
3. not before noun ~ (about something) | ~ (that…) (of a person)sure that sth is true or that sth is going to happen and stating it to other people
• I'm definite about this.

Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: from Latin definitus ‘defined, set within limits’, past participle of definire, from de- (expressing completion) + finire ‘finish’.

Thesaurus:
definite adj.
1.
•I can't give you a definite answer.
certain • • sure • • conclusive • • bound • • guaranteed • |written assured •
definite/certain/conclusive that…
certain/sure/bound/guaranteed to do sth
seem definite/certain/sure/conclusive/bound to…/guaranteed/assured
2.
•There was a definite feeling that things were getting worse.
distinct • • clear • • noticeable • • unmistakable • • decided • • obvious • • striking • • sharp • |especially written marked • • pronounced •
a definite/distinct/clear/noticeable/decided/obvious/striking/sharp/marked/pronounced improvement
a definite/distinct/clear/noticeable/obvious/striking/sharp/marked/pronounced difference
a definite/distinct/clear/obvious/unmistakable sense of sth
Definite, marked or pronounced? Definite is used most often to talk about things that you can see or feel; marked is used most often in a business context; pronounced is used most often to talk about physical or personal characteristics
•a definite smell of gas
• a marked effect on sales
• a pronounced limp


Synonyms:
certain
bound • sure • definite • guaranteed
These are all words describing sth that will definitely happen or is definitely true.
certain • that you can rely on to happen or be true: ▪ It's certain that they will agree. ◇ ▪ They are certain to agree.
bound • [not before noun] certain to happen, or to do or be sth. Bound is only used in the phrase bound to do/be, etc.: ▪ There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced. ◇ ▪ You've done so much work— you're bound to pass the exam.
sure • certain to happen or be true; that can be trusted on relied on: ▪ She's sure to be picked for the team. ◇ ▪ It's sure to rain.
definite • (rather informal) certain to happen; that is not going to change: ▪ Is it definite that he's leaving?
guaranteed • certain to have a particular result: ▪ That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry.
certain/sure of sth
certain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do sth
certain/definite that…
I couldn't say for certain/sure/definite.

Example Bank:
•He was pretty definite about the price.
•She has very definite views on this subject.
•Have they made you a definite offer of a job?
•I need a definite yes or no.
•I'm not sure— I can find out for definite if you like.
•I've heard rumours, but nothing definite.
•Is it definite that he's leaving?

 
noun singular (informal)
sth that you are certain about or that you know will happen; sb who is sure to do sth
• ‘We're moving our office to Glasgow.’ ‘That's a definite, is it?’
• ‘Is Sarah coming to the party?’ ‘Yes, she's a definite.’

Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: from Latin definitus ‘defined, set within limits’, past participle of definire, from de- (expressing completion) + finire ‘finish’.