Certainly

Pronunciation

Origin

certain + -ly

Full definition of certainly

Adverb

1. In a way which is certain; with certainty.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, I.iii.2.2:he verily thought he had young live frogs in his belly, qui vivebant ex alimento suo, that lived by his nourishment, and was so certainly persuaded of it, that for many years following he could not be rectified in his conceit.
2. Without doubt, surely.
• 2013-06-07, Gary Younge, Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution, WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.
3. The accident was certainly caused by human error.
   That was certainly sweet of him.
   You may certainly join us for dinner.
4. An emphatic affirmative answer; of course.
   Would you like it with ice?  Certainly, and with lemon please.

Synonyms

• absolutely, beyond doubt, indubitably, sure thing, undoubtedly, wis, without a doubt

Coordinate terms

• maybe, possibly, arguably, questionably, probably, perhaps

Derived terms

• most certainly