def;i;nite pronunciation: function: adjective etymology: latin definitus, past participle of definiredate: 1553 1 : having distinct or certain limits lt;set definite standards for pupils to meetgt;2 a : free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity lt;demanded a definite answergt; b : unquestionable, decided lt;the quarterback was a definite hero todaygt;3 : typically designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing lt;the definite article thegt;4 a of floral organs : being constant in number, usually less than 20, and occurring in multiples of the petal number lt;stamens definitegt; b : cymose lt;a definite inflorescencegt;synonyms see explicit— def;i;nite;ly adverb — def;i;nite;ness noun