definitive
/dɪˈfɪnətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv] /dɪˈfɪnətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪfˈɪnɪtɪv] /di-ˈfi-nə-tiv/ (ame, mw)
definitive — 形容詞
- definitivepositive
- more definitivecomparative
- most definitivesuperlative
1. Settling an issue completely so that no further changes, arguments, or doubts re
最終的
不可更改且結束爭議的
Settling an issue completely so that no further changes, arguments, or doubts remain.
The court's definitive decision brought the case to a close after six years.
法院的最終判決讓這起案件在六年後畫下句點。
collocation: definitive decision
Scientists have yet to find definitive evidence of life on other planets.
科學家尚未在其他行星上找到確鑿的生命證據。
collocation: definitive evidence
No definitive agreement was reached at the climate meeting in Paris.
巴黎的氣候會議沒有達成任何最終協議。
The doctor told Yara that the test results were not yet definitive.
醫生告訴 Yara，檢驗結果還不是最終的。
Ilan knew the judge's decision was definitive and could not be changed.
Ilan 知道法官的判決是最終的，無法更改。
- conclusive
Stronger emphasis on proving something beyond doubt; used mainly for evidence or proof
- final
Plainer and more common; simply means no more changes are possible
- decisive
Focuses on ending uncertainty or a contest; used for actions and results
- provisional
Temporary and subject to change
- tentative
Not yet final or certain; open to revision
用法筆記
Frequently used in negative sentences or with words suggesting doubt ('no definitive answer', 'not yet definitive'). Common objects include 'ruling', 'evidence', 'proof', 'answer', 'decision', and 'agreement'.
常見錯誤
2. Considered the most complete, accurate, and reliable example or source of its ki
權威的
同類中最完整可靠的
Considered the most complete, accurate, and reliable example or source of its kind — for example, the definitive guide to a country, or the definitive biography of a famous person.
Her biography is considered the definitive account of the artist's life.
她的傳記被視為關於這位藝術家生平最權威的記述。
collocation: definitive account
Many chefs regard this cookbook as the definitive guide to Sichuan cuisine.
許多廚師視這本食譜為川菜最可靠的指南。
collocation: definitive guide
The library holds a definitive collection of nineteenth-century Japanese prints.
這間圖書館收藏了最完整的十九世紀日本版畫系列。
Nikhil's research paper became the definitive study on coral reef restoration.
Nikhil 的研究論文成為珊瑚礁復育方面最權威的著作。
Critics called the film the definitive adaptation of the classic novel.
影評人稱這部電影是這本經典小說最權威的改編版本。
- authoritative
Trusted as a reliable source; slightly more formal than 'definitive'
- classic
Serves as a standard model; often implies timelessness rather than authority
- standard
Widely accepted as the normal reference; less emphatic than 'definitive'
- inferior
Lower in quality or authority
- incomplete
Lacking full coverage or detail
用法筆記
Typically used with nouns for creative or scholarly works: 'guide', 'biography', 'study', 'edition', 'history', 'account', 'collection'. Implies that nothing better exists or is likely to exist.
常見錯誤
3. Expressed or described in a precise, exact way that leaves no room for confusion
明確的
表達或描述精確無誤的
Expressed or described in a precise, exact way that leaves no room for confusion or doubt.
The contract contains definitive language about each partner's financial duties.
合約中有明確的條文說明每個合夥人的財務責任。
collocation: definitive language
Jiwoo asked for definitive instructions before starting the lab experiment.
Jiwoo 在開始實驗室作業前要求明確的指示。
The guidelines offer a definitive definition of research misconduct.
這份指導方針對何謂研究不當行為提供了明確的定義。
A definitive description of the symptoms helped the doctor make a fast diagnosis.
對症狀的清楚描述幫助醫生迅速做出診斷。
The treaty established definitive boundaries between the two countries.
這條約確立了兩國之間的明確界線。
用法筆記
Common in formal, technical, or legal contexts where precision matters. Often collocates with 'language', 'definition', 'description', 'terms', 'boundaries', or 'limits'. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 emphasises clarity of expression, not finality of outcome.