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

Some of these observers admired Friend very, very much, and some most definitely did not. —Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026

Caution is definitely needed for Year of the AI Intermediary. —Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

The turnovers definitely hurt, especially at any swing moment. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 20 Jan. 2026

The bangs were definitely a holdover from my Zooey Deschanel/New Girl twee era. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 20 Jan. 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.