definite

/ˈdɛfɪnɪt/

//ˈdɛfɪnɪt// adj

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"definite" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“definite” has 11 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #9,870. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#9,870
frequency rank, English
3,470
“D” headwords
11
tracked misspellings
5
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - Having distinct limits.

Corpus desk

Index EN-definite · definite · English

definite · rank #9,870 · 11 variants · 5 confusables

  • FREQ-COMMON #9,870
  • LEN-LONG 8 letters
  • VOW-4 4 vowels
  • CONFUS-MID 5 pairs
  • VAR-MID 11 variants
  • BOOK-MID 3,470
  • PHOTO-FINISH demonstrations

Nearest frequency peer: demonstrations (+1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Frequency neighbourhood for “definite”

Lower corpus rank = more everyday usage (inverted bar length for readability)

corpus weight

What this shows Bars show where “definite” sits against the nearest ranked English headwords in the FrequencyWords band, not a reprint of letter-browse containment.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

definite vs definitely
80% similar
definite vs definitive
80% similar
definite vs define
75% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for definite
PropertyValue
Headworddefinite
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˈdɛfɪnɪt/
Letters8
Frequency rank#9,870
Misspellings tracked11
Confusable pairs5
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “definite” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). definite lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 11 spelling variants around definite (IPA /ˈdɛfɪnɪt/), anadjective. Corpus frequency is #9,870 among 3,470 “D” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 11 likely wrong-spelling variants for definite, with forms such as "ddefinite", "deffinite", and "defiinte". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 5 confusable-pair relationships, "definitely", "definitive", "define", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Latin dēfīnītus, past participle of dēfīniō, whence also English define. The correct English form is definite, spelled D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    Having distinct limits.
  2. 2
    Free from any doubt.
  3. 3
    Determined; resolved; decided.
  4. 4
    Designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing, or group of persons or things

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how definite appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval
  2. […] elements combine in definite proportions […]

Etymology

From Latin dēfīnītus, past participle of dēfīniō, whence also English define.

Synonyms

finitedefinitelimited

Antonyms

indefinitenebulousvague

This word in other languages

definido(Español)défini(Français)bestimmt(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ddefinite
  • deffinite
  • defiinte
  • definiet
  • definitte
  • definnite
  • defintie
  • defniite
  • deifnite
  • dfeinite
  • edfinite

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of definite - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

ddefinite1deffinite1defiinte2definiet2definitte1definnite1defintie2defniite2
Edit distance from "definite"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

PlainSpell is rendered directly from structured Wiktionary extracts and open word-frequency lists, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of September 3, 2026. Primary sources: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) and FrequencyWords.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "definite"?
"definite" is spelled D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈdɛfɪnɪt/.
What does "definite" mean?
As an adjective, "definite" means: Having distinct limits.
What words are commonly confused with "definite"?
"definite" is commonly confused with "definitely", "definitive", "define". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "definite"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "definite" is /ˈdɛfɪnɪt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "definite"?
From Latin dēfīnītus, past participle of dēfīniō, whence also English define. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "definite", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 8 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

departed#9,872crystals#9,867backpack#9,851avengers#9,850

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (11 here; floor ≥5).

Dorothy11 variantsChapman11 variantsCalgary11 variantsbalcony11 variants

What to do next

You've looked up "definite". Here's where to go from here.

  • "definite" maps to 5 confusable pairs in this vintage; the highest-scored is "definitely". View pair
  • 11 edit-distance misspelling variants are generated for spell-check research on this headword. See variants
  • Usage frequency rank #9,870 among English headwords in this corpus. Corpus statistics
  • Browse more English words in the "D" letter cohort. D–Z browse
  • PlainSpell rotates a curated Word of the Day from the English corpus, a passive way to discover vocabulary. Word of the Day

PlainSpell is a reference corpus, not spelling advice. Verify unusual forms in context.

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list