definitely not

USAGE SUMMARY

"definitely not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you mean to convey a strong negative answer or opinion about something. For example, "Will we be able to finish the project by tomorrow? Definitely not!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Definitely not the government.

The New York Times

A. Definitely not.

The New York Times - Sports

Life-threatening, definitely not".

The Economist

"No, no, definitely not".

Independent

"Definitely not," he insists.

Independent

No, definitely not.

Forbes

It's definitely not fun.

The New York Times - Sports

Definitely not corn, Governor.

The New York Times

"Definitely not," Wolfowitz said.

The New Yorker

That's definitely not me.

The New York Times - Sports

Definitely not the Hamptons!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitely not" to express a clear and decisive negative response or opinion, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

While "definitely not" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Consider using more nuanced or sophisticated alternatives like "by no means" or "under no circumstances" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely not" functions as a strong negative affirmation or emphatic denial. It's used to express a firm disagreement or refusal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definitely not" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express strong negation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While highly versatile, remember to consider your audience and choose more formal alternatives like "absolutely not" or "certainly not" for professional writing. Its primary function is to negate clearly and decisively, leaving no ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely not

Indicates a strong and unequivocal refusal or disagreement.

certainly not

Expresses a firm negation, similar to "definitely not" but with a slightly different emphasis.

not at all

A common expression of negation, often used in response to a question or suggestion.

not a chance

Indicates that there is no possibility of something happening.

by no means

A more formal way of expressing negation, implying that something is not possible or true.

no way

An informal expression of strong disagreement or refusal.

far from it

Used to strongly contradict a previous statement or suggestion.

under no circumstances

Emphasizes that something will not happen, regardless of the situation.

not in the slightest

Emphasizes that something is not true or does not exist to any degree.

never

A concise way to express that something will not happen at any time.

FAQs

How can I use "definitely not" in a sentence?

"Definitely not" is used to express a strong negative affirmation or disagreement. For example, "Are you going to the party? Definitely not!"

What are some alternatives to "definitely not"?

You can use alternatives such as "absolutely not", "certainly not", or "by no means" depending on the context.

Is "definitely not" too informal for professional communication?

While "definitely not" is widely understood, it can be perceived as informal. For professional contexts, consider using "under no circumstances" or "not at all" to maintain a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "definitely not" and "certainly not"?

Both phrases convey a strong negative, but "definitely not" emphasizes a stronger sense of decisiveness or finality, while "certainly not" can sometimes imply a more reasoned or considered negative.