確 定 的(かくていてき)

かくていてき

na-adjective

definite; certain; all but settled

1. definite; certain; effectively settled

Describes an outcome that is no longer in real doubt, even if it has not been formally confirmed. Common in news writing about election results, promotions, and negotiations.

優勝(ゆうしょう)は確定的(かくていてき)だ。

The championship is all but settled.

値上(ねあ)げは確定的(かくていてき)な見通(みとお)しとなった。

A price increase has become a near-certain prospect.

開票(かいひょう)は終(お)わっていないが、現職(げんしょく)の当選(とうせん)は確定的(かくていてき)になったと報(ほう)じられている。

The count is not finished, but the incumbent's election is reported to have become a certainty.

確定(かくてい) (being settled) + 的(てき) (-ish, -like). The 的(てき) softens 確定(かくてい): 確定(かくてい)する means officially decided, while 確定的(かくていてき) means as good as decided.

Common collocations

確定的(かくていてき)になる: to become a certainty
確定的(かくていてき)な見通(みとお)し: a near-certain outlook
ほぼ確定的(かくていてき): virtually certain
確定的(かくていてき)と見(み)られる: to be regarded as settled

Usage

Because it stops just short of official confirmation, 確定的(かくていてき) is the word journalists use before a result is announced. Once the result is official, 確定(かくてい)した is used instead.

Similar words

確実(かくじつ)な: certain, reliable — emphasizes there is no risk of failure, not that a decision is nearly final
決定的(けっていてき)な: decisive — the factor that determines an outcome, as in 決定的(けっていてき)な証拠(しょうこ)

Related Words

Related: 確定(かくてい) (the noun it derives from)

Compare: 確実(かくじつ) (certain, reliable)

Compare: 決定的(けっていてき) (decisive)

general

Added 2026.8.8 21:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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