Definitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'definitely' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the truth or certainty of a statement or to indicate strong agreement with a opinion or suggestion. Example sentence: I definitely think that we should go out for dinner tonight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Definitely," he says.

The Guardian

"Er... the referee missed some key decisions... er... we should definitely have been awarded a penalty... we were definitely the better side," he told me.

The Guardian - Books

No definitely not, I don't think anyone is allowed to live on baked beans on toast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of the unseen Top Gear footage, Shillinglaw said it would definitely make it on to BBC2 – although not enough had been shot for three full one-hour episodes.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, toast the muffin halves (it definitely helps to put your breakfasting companion to work here – that way they can assemble the rest of the dish while you stand guard whisking the hollandaise) and poach the eggs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There's definitely a sense of responsibility," says Claire Rafferty, England's left-back and a part-time financial analyst at Deutsche Bank, who can look back nine years and recall her parents digging deep to finance career-saving knee surgery.

The Guardian - Sport

Vicki Hughes, for example, uses many of Brighton's coffee shops to conduct a lot of the business for her company, Fugu PR. "There is definitely something unique about Brighton and coffee shops," she says.

The Guardian

They're very problematic and sometimes down right rude to each other, but there's definitely chemistry, and definitely some other emotions entwined in there.

The Guardian

It is equally clear: evolution is definitely preferable if it is attainable.

The Guardian - Opinion

As we sat in our circle and shared the reasons that had brought us all there, my memory is that I was the only one suffering from anxiety (as opposed to depression), and also that I definitely came across as the "maddest" – there was no one else in that room who had trouble staying on a bus.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

North Melbourne will almost definitely lay a heavy smack-down on 'Friendless' Mick Malthouse and his rag-tag bunch of beaten-up Blues.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely" to express a strong conviction or agreement. It adds emphasis to your statement, making your position clear.

Common error

While "definitely" is acceptable in most contexts, overuse can make your writing sound less professional. Consider using more formal alternatives like "certainly" or "undoubtedly" in academic or business writing.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "definitely" functions primarily as an intensifier, modifying verbs or adjectives to emphasize the certainty or strength of a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it affirms without question. Many examples confirm its use for expressing assurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Film

5%

Music

5%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definitely" is a very common adverb used to express strong certainty or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and numerous examples showcase its versatility across various contexts, especially in news and media. While suitable for most situations, consider more formal alternatives like "certainly" or "undoubtedly" in academic or business writing. Be mindful of overuse to maintain a professional tone. Employing best practices for varied and nuanced communication is essential for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolutely

Emphasizes a complete and unconditional affirmation, often stronger than "definitely".

Certainly

Conveys confidence in the truth of something, similar to "definitely" but slightly more formal.

Undoubtedly

Highlights that there is no room for doubt, stressing the sureness of the statement.

Without a doubt

Rephrases "definitely" by directly negating any possibility of uncertainty.

For sure

An informal way of expressing certainty, interchangeable with "definitely" in casual contexts.

Positively

Affirms something with a strong and confident manner, akin to "definitely".

Indeed

Confirms or emphasizes a previous statement, serving a similar function to "definitely" but more understated.

Precisely

Expresses exact agreement or correctness, often used to validate a statement.

Assuredly

Indicates a sense of confidence and certainty, somewhat more formal than "definitely".

Unquestionably

Stresses that something cannot be questioned or disputed, highlighting its certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "definitely" in a sentence?

"Definitely" is commonly used to express certainty or strong agreement. For example, "I "definitely agree" with your proposal" or "We will "definitely consider" your application".

What can I say instead of "definitely" to sound more formal?

For more formal alternatives, consider using words like "certainly", "undoubtedly", or "assuredly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "definitely" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and stylistically acceptable to use "definitely" at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis or to express strong agreement. For example, "Definitely, we should proceed with the plan".

What's the difference between "definitely" and "maybe"?

"Definitely" expresses certainty and a firm commitment, while "maybe" indicates uncertainty or possibility. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the certainty spectrum.