most definitely not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most definitely not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to strongly emphasize a negative response or to express certainty about something not being the case. Example: "Do you think he will agree to that proposal? Most definitely not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most definitely not.

The New York Times

This was most definitely not that.

The New York Times

South Korea was most definitely not hip.

The Economist

Others are most definitely not convinced.

Encyclopedia Britannica

GORDON: They are most definitely not polite!

The New Yorker

Cooper was most definitely not.

The Guardian - Film

They are most definitely not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet traitors they are most definitely not.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is most definitely not that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yeah, it's at you, most definitely not with you.

The New Yorker

But the minuscule portion size is most definitely not OK.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most definitely not" to express a strong disagreement or denial, adding emphasis to your statement.

Common error

While "most definitely not" is effective for emphasis, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most definitely not" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause to strongly negate it. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it adds emphasis to a negative statement, indicating a firm and certain denial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most definitely not" is a commonly used adverbial phrase employed to express strong negation or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across varied contexts, including news media, academic writing, and general conversation. While alternatives like "absolutely not" and "certainly not" exist, "most definitely not" offers a distinctive emphasis. To maintain writing quality, it's best practice to use the phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse to prevent repetitiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolutely not

Emphasizes negation with a more concise expression.

Certainly not

Indicates a firm and confident refusal or denial.

Definitely not

Removes the "most", offering a slightly less emphatic but similar meaning.

By no means

Implies that something is impossible or completely untrue.

Not at all

Provides a simple and direct way to express negation.

Under no circumstances

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

Not in the slightest

Emphasizes that something is not true to any degree.

No way

Offers an informal and emphatic refusal or denial.

Not a chance

Suggests that something is very unlikely to happen.

Far from it

Indicates that the opposite is true, rather than a simple no.

FAQs

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

You can use "most definitely not" to strongly negate a statement or idea. For example, "Is he going to apologize? "Most definitely not"."

What are some alternatives to "most definitely not"?

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

Is "most definitely not" formal or informal?

"Most definitely not" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While emphatic, it's suitable for many writing and speaking situations.

When should I use "most definitely not" over a simple "no"?

Use "most definitely not" when you want to emphasize your disagreement or denial. It conveys a stronger sense of conviction than a simple "no".