definitely

adverb

def·​i·​nite·​ly ˈde-fə-nit-lē 

ˈdef-nət-

1

: in a definite way : in a way free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity

I will definitely be there.

He's very smart and very funny and is definitely a practical actor. He comes to work to get his job done and to make the best movie possible …

—Anna Kendrick

Omaha is definitely not hip; green-haired XML programmers do not glide past gourmet coffee emporiums on Razor scooters.

—Adam Rogers

2

a

—used in speech as a forceful way of expressing agreement or saying "yes"

"Do you think they'll win?" "Definitely!"

b

—used in speech in the phrase definitely not as a forceful way of expressing disagreement or saying "no"

"Do you agree with him?" "Definitely not!"

Synonyms of definitely

• certainly
• surely
• sure
• clearly
• probably
• really

Examples of definitely in a Sentence

that is definitely the kind of dog we're looking to adopt

Recent Examples on the Web

Cityfolk shouldn’t expect a Manhattan-caliber dining experience—perhaps embrace beer, burgers, and pizza over formality—but definitely sample the desserts and pastries. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

Call it motivation or inspiration, but the move definitely put a chip on the shoulder of Ahlivia East. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

Similarly, Enzo Fernandez has also been left off the ‘definitely not for sale list’, albeit Chelsea are not desperate to cash in either. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026

But staining showed no RNA or DNA molecules, indicating that the cells were definitely dead. —Siddhant Pusdekar, Quanta Magazine, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

definite + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for definitely

• indefinitely

Video

How to Remember the Spelling of 'Definitely'

A definitive answer.