definite

Completely sure about what you think or say.

• She sounded very definite.
• He was definite about his choice.
• Are you definite that the meeting is today?

How to use it: definite about something (She was definite about wanting to leave.); definite that… (He was definite that he had locked the door.)

Similar words: certain, sure, firm

Opposites: uncertain, unsure

Common phrases: be definite about something, quite definite, a definite answer

Having clearly fixed limits, size, or length.

• The work must finish within a definite period.
• The cloud had no definite shape.
• We need a definite limit on spending.

Similar words: fixed, defined, precise

Opposites: indefinite

Common phrases: definite period, definite shape, definite limits

Used in grammar for a word or expression referring to someone or something already known or identifiable.

• English has one definite article: the.
• Use the definite article when the reader knows which house you mean.
• A definite noun phrase can refer to a previously mentioned person.

Opposites: indefinite

Common phrases: definite article, definite noun phrase, definite reference