definite

Word family

def·i·nite /ˈdefɪnət, ˈdefənət/ S3 AWL adjectiveadj

1 OBVIOUSclearly known, seen, or stated 清楚的，明确的 SYN clear OPP indefinite

It’s impossible for me to give you a definite answer.

我不可能给你明确的答复。

We need to record sufficient data to enable definite conclusions to be reached.

我们需要记录足够的数据，才能得出明确的结论。

He’d shown definite signs of resigning himself to the situation.

他明显表现出安于这种状况的样子。

► see thesaurus at certain

2 CERTAINLY/DEFINITELYa definite arrangement, promise etc will happen in the way that someone has said 〔安排、许诺等〕确切的，确定的 → indefinite

Fix a definite date for the delivery of your computer.

请为你的电脑定个确切的交货日期。

3 CERTAINLY/DEFINITELY[not before noun] saying something very firmly so that people understand exactly what you mean 〔说话〕确实的，肯定的

definite about

She’s not definite about retiring from the game.

她没有明确说是否退出比赛。

Examples from the Corpus

definite• Indeed, Maxwell showed that when the fields propagate as electromagnetic waves they actually carry definite amounts of energy with them.• I don't know what time she's coming. She won't give me a definite answer.• Mark's studies take a definite back seat to football.• We have some statistics, but we really need something more definite before we can make any firm decisions.• No other historical transformation has quite the same clear-cut and definite character.• The city has finally given a definite date to replace the street light.• They discovered a definite debt-death link: a relationship between interest paid percapita and decrease in life expectancy.• Both Sally and John had definite ideas about how the new kitchen should look.• Jacinta's report card showed a definite improvement in math.• Six years had, after all, seen definite innovations in performance and safety.• Dorosin said she doesn't have any definite plans for the future.• Sometimes this means taking a very definite stand on certain issues, but it has to be done for both your sakes.• The green on the twelfth has two very definite tiers and the pin was on the upper one.• We have seen that a gas or vapour does not have a definite volume or shape.• I've got a good chance of getting the job, but it's not definite yet.

Origin definite

(1500-1600) Latin definitus, past participle of definire; → DEFINE

def·i·nite adjectiveadj

Chinese

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