Definite, definitive are sometimes confused.
What is definite (see also EXPLICIT) has limits so clearly fixed or defined or so unambiguously stated that there can be no doubt concerning the scope or the meaning of something so qualified.
- Can you give me a definite answer by tomorrow?
- Is it definite that he’s leaving?
- I’ve heard rumours, but nothing definite.
- a definite offer of a job
- Mary is very definite about this.
What is definitive (for fuller treatment see CONCLUSIVE) fixes or settles something else and therefore is final or decisive.
- a definitive agreement/answer/statement
- The definitive version of the text is ready to be published.
- No one has come up with a definitive answer as to why this should be so.
- He disagreed, but he didn’t say anything definitive.