Definite and Definitive

What is the difference between definite and definitive?

Definite means known for certain.
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:

Definitive

The adjective definitive means conclusive or authoritative

Examples:

A Quick Test




Definitely Not Definate

There is no such word as definate, which is a very common misspelling of definite. Definately does not exist either.


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See Also

What are adjectives? What are verbs? List of easily confused words