In linguistics, definiteness is a semantic feature of noun phrases that distinguishes between referents or senses that are identifiable in a given context (definite noun phrases) and those that are not …

The meaning of DEFINITE is free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity.

This textbook investigates definiteness both from a comparative and a the-oretical point of view, showing how languages express definiteness and what definiteness is.

definiteness, n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Sep 7, 2022 · Definiteness is the central referential property of nominal expressions, in linguistics most often related to the use of the definite article in languages that have definite articles.

Jan 13, 2026 · definiteness Add to list Definitions of definiteness noun the quality of being predictable with great confidence synonyms: determinateness

Usage Note: Definite and definitive both apply to what is precisely defined or explicitly set forth.

Definiteness plays a critical role in how proper names and definite descriptions communicate specific information. Proper names are always definite, meaning they refer to a unique individual or entity that …

Definiteness as a grammatical category is only present in languages which show some overt marking of definiteness, for example some kind of a definite article.

Definiteness refers to the quality or condition of being clear, precise, and decided. It's the particular grammatical category associated with the state of knowledge or information concerning the identity …