What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
definitive
Example
The court's ruling was definitive and cannot be appealed. [definitive: adjective]
Example
The CEO made a definitive statement about the company's future plans. [definitive: adjective]
Example
The encyclopedia provides a definitive guide to world history. [definitive: adjective]
decisive
Example
The coach praised the team captain for his decisive leadership. [decisive: adjective]
Example
The election results were decisive, with a clear winner and loser. [decisive: adjective]
Example
The new policy had a decisive impact on the company's profits. [decisive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decisive is more commonly used than definitive in everyday language. Decisive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while definitive is less common and has a more formal tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between definitive and decisive?
Definitive is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while decisive can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
