definitiva

Definitiva is the feminine form of the Spanish adjective definitivo, meaning final or conclusive. It is used to describe nouns that are settled, completed, or irrevocably established. While primarily an adjectival form, definitiva can also function as a noun in some legal or administrative contexts, referring to a final version, decision, or status, though it is more common to encounter complete phrases such as sentencia definitiva or resolución definitiva.

Common contexts

In law and administration, definitive decisions and documents are frequently described with definitiva: una sentencia definitiva, una resolución definitiva, o una lista definitiva de admitidos. In education and finance, terms like calificación definitiva or cuota definitiva indicate final results or amounts. In publishing or research, a versión definitiva refers to the final, revised manuscript version.

Etymology and semantics

Definitiva derives from Latin definitus, the past participle of definire, meaning to define or to determine. The root conveys the sense of delimiting, fixing, or establishing something in a permanent way. The adjective agrees with gender and number: definitiva (feminine singular), definitivas (feminine plural), definitivo (masculine singular), definitivos (masculine plural).

Usage notes

Definitiva is used with feminine singular nouns; its antonym is provisional or provisional/temporary forms such as provisoria o provisional. Its usage spans legal, administrative, academic, and formal writing, where finality and certainty are emphasized.

Related terms

definitivo, definitivamente, definición, indefinible.