definitely bad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely bad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong opinion or certainty about something being negative or undesirable. Example: "The weather today is definitely bad for a picnic; it's cold and raining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

O.K., maybe not literally the worst, but definitely bad".

The New York Times

As an importer, Brexit is definitely bad for us.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Borgias were definitely bad, but were they as bad as all that?

The New York Times - Books

And definitely bad PR for the owners of extensive collections of clown ornaments.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"There's definitely bad bluebonnet etiquette out there," said PerriAngela Wickham founder of texasbluebonnetsightings.com, which has 7,300 Facebook followers.

The New York Times

THE end of the cold war was definitely bad news for those novelists and screenwriters who were counting on the "evil empire" to provide them with plots for life.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Pay close attention, because there's a good chance that you can relate to one of these most-definitely bad strategies.

Huffington Post

But for Grisanti, it was definitely a bad way to begin a tough re-election campaign.

Huffington Post

Definitely a bad sign.

The New York Times - Books

But you definitely feel bad for Robby.

Independent

They're definitely the bad guys.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely bad" to express a strong, certain negative opinion about something, such as an action, decision, or situation. Ensure the context supports the strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "definitely bad" too frequently in formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced and specific language to convey your negative assessment. Instead of simply stating something is "definitely bad", explain why it is problematic, and use more precise terminology.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely bad" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (or pronoun) expressing a strong negative evaluation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as exemplified by real-world sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definitely bad" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong negative opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used primarily in news and media, with a neutral to informal register. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal contexts, opting for more specific and nuanced language. For situations where "definitely bad" feels too blunt, alternatives like "certainly bad" or "absolutely terrible" can provide varied emphasis. When something is beyond any doubt, "definitely bad" is a tool to emphasize negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly bad

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", indicating a strong degree of conviction.

assuredly bad

Uses "assuredly" for a confident assertion of negativity.

undeniably bad

Replaces "definitely" with "undeniably", suggesting the bad quality is beyond dispute.

absolutely terrible

Substitutes both words for stronger negative terms.

unquestionably poor

Uses a formal tone to express a firm negative judgement.

patently awful

Replaces both words with more emphatic synonyms.

categorically unacceptable

Expresses strong disapproval, often in a formal or official context.

outright unacceptable

Uses "outright" to emphasize the degree of unacceptability.

thoroughly disappointing

Focuses on the disappointment caused by something considered bad.

decidedly regrettable

Conveys a sense of strong disapproval and regret.

FAQs

How can I use "definitely bad" in a sentence?

You can use "definitely bad" to express a strong negative opinion or assessment. For example, "The weather is definitely bad for a picnic," or "That's a definitely bad idea".

What are some alternatives to saying "definitely bad"?

Consider alternatives like "certainly bad", "absolutely terrible", or "undeniably bad" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "definitely bad" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "definitely bad" might be considered too informal for some academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to explain why something is problematic. Instead, consider "unquestionably poor" or "patently awful".

What makes "definitely bad" different from "slightly bad"?

"Definitely bad" indicates a strong and certain negative assessment, whereas "slightly bad" suggests a mild or minor negative quality. The word "definitely" strengthens the negative sentiment, leaving no doubt about the speaker's opinion.