What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Definitely vs Definitive - What's the difference?

definitely | definitive |

As an adverb definitely

is without question and beyond doubt.

As an adjective definitive is

explicitly defined.

As a noun definitive is

a word, such as a definite article or demonstrative pronoun, that defines or limits something.

definitely

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • Without question and beyond doubt.
    • The mother definitely has love for her child.
  • In a definite manner; decisively.
  • * Nikolai Gogol, The Nose (in translation)
    • And the Nose definitely turned away.

    definitive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • explicitly defined
  • conclusive or decisive
  • definite, authoritative and complete
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • A strict and definitive truth.
  • * Prescott
    • Some definitive scheme of reconciliation.
  • Limiting; determining.
    • a definitive word
  • (philately) general, not issued for commemorative purposes
  • (obsolete) Determined; resolved.
  • * 1604 , , V. i. 424:
    • Never crave him. We are definitive .

    Derived terms

    * definitively

    Noun

    (definitive stamp) (en noun)
  • (grammar) a word, such as a definite article or demonstrative pronoun, that defines or limits something
  • (philately) an ordinary postage stamp that is part of a series of all denominations or is reprinted as needed to meet demand