definitely

adverb

ˈde-fə-nit-lē How to pronounce definitely (audio)
Definition of definitelynext
as in certainly
without any question that is definitely the kind of dog we're looking to adopt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of definitely For large parts of the World Cup, his subsitutions were good — versus Croatia and Mexico especially — but not so much against Norway and definitely not yesterday. — The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure helping keep prices stable is definitely random but interesting. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 16 July 2026 In the long-term, these divides can multiply, creating narrower candidate pools and putting more pressure on companies to solve problems ultimately created by state policy—definitely a business issue. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 15 July 2026 Current research on CGMs doesn’t show that reducing just the spikes leads to better health, but tracking CGM data definitely leads to healthier behaviors. — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for definitely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitely
  1. certainly
  2. surely
  3. sure
  4. clearly
  5. probably
  6. really
Adverb
  • An Argentina semifinal win now gives Messi the chance — in what almost certainly will be his final match on the World Cup stage —- to make his country the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and ‘62.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Greek goddess-like beauty is certainly having a moment thanks to the cast of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • The French surely will consider Saturday’s consolation match a massive letdown.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • And if the lights at Arrowhead are too big for them, surely something could be arranged to have Kauffman be a better fit.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of surely
Adverb
  • Kennedy, a shortstop who hails from Fort Worth, improved his play dramatically after undergoing LASIK surgery, and scouts sure took notice.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
  • The flushing of a borehole doesn’t land well in a gala slideshow, but installing a new water system in a new community sure does.
    — Sarah Evans, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of sure
Adverb
  • The video clearly showed the forward had dived after a tackle from Leandro Paredes.
    — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Paramount already offered concessions to Bonta to avert a lawsuit, but Bonta and his counterparts clearly wanted more.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of clearly
Adverb
  • The previous disruptions to shipping between 2023 and 2025 probably cost some $20 billion a year, according to industry estimates.
    — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • The biggest hope was probably SpaceXAI, trumpeting the promise of generative artificial intelligence.
    — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of probably
Adverb
  • Mainoo, sitting on the bench, could be forgiven for wondering if Tuchel had really watched his matches in the second half of last season.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • There are so many extras and cast members, the lighting was really complicated, and I was being followed by a spotlight all the time.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of really

Browse Nearby Words

definite
definitely
definiteness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Definitely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definitely. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on definitely

Nglish: Translation of definitely for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dog days

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All