definite
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++def·i·nite /ˈdefɪnət, ˈdefənət/ ●●○ S3 AWL adjective 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 certain2 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; → DEFINEdef·i·nite adjectiveChineseSyllable
stated seen, known, or Corpus clearly
definite
def‧i‧nite S3 AC /ˈdefɪnət, ˈdefɪnɪt, ˈdefənət/
adjective
SYN clear
OPP indefinite:
It’s impossible for me to give you a definite answer.
We need to record sufficient data to enable definite conclusions to be reached.
He’d shown definite signs of resigning himself to the situation.
2. a definite arrangement, promise etc will happen in the way that someone has said ⇨ indefinite:
Fix a definite date for the delivery of your computer.
3. [not before noun] saying something very firmly so that people understand exactly what you mean
definite about
She’s not definite about retiring from the game.
▪ certain if something is certain, you are completely sure that it will happen or is true: Success seems certain. | It is almost certain that there will be a change of government. | Nobody knows exactly who built the manor, but it is certain that an architect called John Sturges supplied the drawings.
▪definite if something is definite, it is certain because someone has officially stated that it will happen, is true etc: I hope you can give me a definite answer soon. | The wedding will be next summer but a definite date has not been arranged yet. | I’ve got a good chance of getting the job, but it’s not definite yet.
▪inevitable if something, especially something bad, is inevitable, it is certain to happen and you cannot do anything to prevent it: War now seems inevitable. | It was inevitable that he would find out her secret sooner or later. | Facial wrinkles are the inevitable result of aging.
▪be bound to if something is bound to happen, it is very likely to happen, especially because that is what usually happens in that kind of situation. Be bound to is less formal than certain and is very common in everyday spoken English: The kids are bound to be hungry when they get home – they always are. | My car broke down today. It was bound to happen sooner or later.
▪be assured of something formal to be certain to get something good, or to be successful: After the success of its recent single, the band is now assured of a contract with a major record company. | He is is virtually assured of becoming the next prime minister. | Our clients are assured of comfortable accommodation and the attention of our trained staff.
▪something is a foregone conclusion if something is a foregone conclusion, its result is certain even though it has not happened yet: They were winning by such a large margin that victory seemed to be a foregone conclusion. | Party members believe it is a foregone conclusion that he will resign.
def‧i‧nite S3 AC /ˈdefɪnət, ˈdefɪnɪt, ˈdefənət/
adjective Word Family: verb: define; noun: definition; adverb: definitely ≠ indefinitely; adjective: definite ≠ indefinite
1. clearly known, seen, or stated SYN clear
OPP indefinite:
2. a definite arrangement, promise etc will happen in the way that someone has said ⇨ indefinite:
3. [not before noun] saying something very firmly so that people understand exactly what you mean
definite about
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certain that you can rely on to happen or be true 指确实、确定、肯定（会发生或是事实） ：◆ It's certain that they will agree. 他们肯定会同意。 ◆ They are certain to agree. 他们肯定会同意。 bound [ 指肯定会、一定会 NOTE Bound is only used in the phrasebound to do/be, etc. * bound 只用于 bound to do/be 等短语中 ：◆ There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced. 新系统引进后肯定会有变化。 ◆ You've done so much work—you're bound to pass the exam. 你下了这么大功夫，一定能通过考试。 sure certain to happen or be true; that can be trusted or relied on 指必定、无疑（会发生或是事实）或不容置疑、确切、可靠 ：◆ She's sure to be picked for the team. 她肯定会入选该队。 ◆ It's sure to rain. 一准会下雨。 definite ( certain to happen; that is not going to changerather
指必将发生、不会改变 ：◆ Is it definite that he's leaving? 他肯定要离开吗？ guaranteed certain to have a particular result 指肯定会、必定会（有特定结果） ：◆ That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry. 那样的行为肯定会让他生气。
Patterns
certain/sure of sthcertain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do sth certain/definite that… I couldn't say for certain/sure/definite.