Have you ever typed a word with confidence, only to stop and wonder if definitely or definately is the correct spelling? Definitely or Definately is a common spelling confusion because the two forms look almost identical, yet one is correct and the other is a frequent misspelling.
Definitely is the correct spelling. It means without doubt, certainly, or in a definite way. Definately is an incorrect spelling and does not represent a separate form of the word. Unlike spelling differences such as minimize and minimise, there is no American vs British spelling variation here. English speakers in both varieties use definitely.
Examples:
- I will definitely attend the meeting tomorrow.
- She definitely knows the answer.
The confusion is understandable. People often search for definitely or definately, definitely vs definately, which spelling is correct, or definately meaning in English because the middle vowels can be easy to mix up when writing the word. The correct form contains -finite-, which can help you remember the spelling: definitely.
In this guide, you’ll learn the complete difference between Definitely or Definately, including their meaning, pronunciation, origin, correct spelling, and usage. You’ll also discover why definately is such a common misspelling and see clear examples to help you remember the correct form.
Definitely or Definately: Which One Is Correct?
The correct spelling is definitely.
Definately is incorrect when you mean “certainly” or “without doubt.”
| Spelling | Correct? | Meaning |
| Definitely | ✅ Yes | Certainly; without doubt |
| Definately | ❌ No | Common misspelling of definitely |
For example:
- Correct: I will definitely call you tomorrow.
- Incorrect: I will definately call you tomorrow.
The difference comes down to the letters -ite- in the middle of definitely. The correct spelling contains the word definite:
definite + ly = definitely
That connection is one of the easiest ways to avoid the mistake.
Cambridge defines definitely as an adverb meaning “without any doubt” and gives examples such as “He definitely said he’d be here.”
What Does Definitely Mean?
Definitely is an adverb that expresses certainty. It tells the reader or listener that something is true, settled, or strongly believed without doubt.
In simple terms, definitely can mean:
- certainly
- without doubt
- unquestionably
- for sure
- clearly, in some contexts
For example:
I will definitely attend the meeting.
This sentence tells you that the speaker has no doubt about attending.
You can also use definitely to emphasize an opinion:
That was definitely the best part of the movie.
Here, the speaker isn’t simply saying the movie had a good part. The word definitely adds strong confidence to the statement.
Oxford describes definitely as a way of emphasizing that something is true and that there is no doubt about it. It also uses the word for something done in a certain or definite way.
Definitely as a Strong Yes
One useful feature of definitely is that it can stand alone as an answer.
For example:
“Are you coming with us?”
“Definitely!”
In this situation, definitely means something like “Yes, certainly” or “Absolutely.”
Cambridge specifically notes that definitely can work as a short response and uses examples such as “Oh, definitely.”
This makes the word especially common in conversations, text messages, interviews, and informal writing.
Definitely as a Strong Negative
You can also pair definitely with not.
I am definitely not buying that car.
The phrase definitely not expresses strong disagreement, refusal, or certainty that something will not happen.
Merriam-Webster identifies definitely not as a forceful way of expressing disagreement or saying “no.”
Compare these two sentences:
- I will definitely go. → I am certain that I will go.
- I will definitely not go. → I am certain that I will not go.
A tiny two-word change completely reverses the meaning.
Why Is Definitely So Often Misspelled as Definately?
The spelling mistake definately is easy to understand once you look at how the word sounds.
When people pronounce definitely quickly, they may not clearly hear every vowel in the middle. The word can sound closer to something like def-in-it-ly or def-nit-ly in natural speech.
That creates a spelling trap.
Someone may remember the beginning as defin- and then instinctively write -ately before adding -ly. The result is:
definately
Unfortunately, that spelling doesn’t follow the actual structure of the word.
The correct form is:
definite + ly = definitely
The adjective definite is the key. Once you recognize that connection, the spelling becomes much easier to reconstruct.
The Definite Connection
Look closely at these words:
- definite
- definitely
The second word simply adds -ly to the first:
definite → definitely
This is much more useful than memorizing a string of letters without understanding the word’s structure.
If you remember definite, you have already remembered most of definitely.
How Do You Spell Definitely?
The correct spelling is:
D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y
The most useful way to break it down is:
definite + ly
Notice the important letters in the middle:
defin + ite + ly
The common incorrect spelling changes that middle pattern:
defin + ate + ly ❌
That one change produces definately, which is not the standard spelling.
Definitely vs Definately at a Glance
| Correct spelling | Incorrect spelling |
| definitely | definately |
| definite + ly | definate + ly |
| Contains definite | Does not preserve definite |
| Standard English spelling | Common misspelling |
A quick visual check can help when proofreading:
definITEly ✅
The ITE is the part worth remembering.
Definitely in Sentences
Seeing definitely in different sentence patterns makes its meaning and grammar easier to understand.
Definitely to Show Certainty
The most common use is to show that something is certain.
- I will definitely be there by six.
- She definitely knows the answer.
- We definitely need more time.
- They are definitely coming to the party.
- He definitely remembers meeting you.
- This is definitely the right address.
In each example, definitely strengthens the statement.
Compare:
I will call you.
with:
I will definitely call you.
The first sentence gives information about an intention. The second makes the speaker sound much more certain about it.
Definitely to Emphasize an Opinion
You can also use definitely when you want to make an opinion stronger.
That is definitely the best restaurant in the area.
This is definitely my favorite chapter.
She is definitely the strongest candidate.
The word doesn’t necessarily prove the statement. Instead, it shows that the speaker feels strongly and confidently about it.
Definitely in Everyday Conversation
In casual speech, definitely often works almost like absolutely.
For example:
“Should we order pizza?”
“Definitely.”
Or:
“Would you recommend this book?”
“Definitely.”
This use is short, natural, and common. Cambridge notes that the word can function as a short response to express certainty or emphasis.
Definitely vs Definately Examples
The easiest way to see the difference is to compare incorrect and corrected sentences.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I will definately come. | I will definitely come. |
| She definately knows him. | She definitely knows him. |
| That is definately true. | That is definitely true. |
| We definately need a new plan. | We definitely need a new plan. |
| He will definately notice. | He will definitely notice. |
| I would definately recommend it. | I would definitely recommend it. |
| They are definately coming tonight. | They are definitely coming tonight. |
| This is definately worth trying. | This is definitely worth trying. |
The pattern is consistent. Whenever you mean certainly or without doubt, use definitely.
A Quick Correction Test
If you’re unsure while writing, replace the word with certainly.
For example:
I will definitely go.
becomes:
I will certainly go.
If the meaning still works, you probably have the right word.
This isn’t a spelling rule. It’s simply a useful meaning check.
Definitely Pronunciation
Pronunciation can explain part of the spelling confusion.
In American English, Cambridge gives the pronunciation of definitely as approximately /ˈdef.ə.nət.li/. The British pronunciation is listed as /ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/.
The middle part can sound less distinct in natural speech, particularly when people speak quickly.
That’s why someone might know exactly what the word means yet still hesitate when spelling it.
The important point is that pronunciation should not be used to guess the spelling. Instead, connect the adverb to the adjective:
definite → definitely
That gives you a reliable spelling pattern.
Does the Pronunciation Change the Spelling?
No.
American and British English can differ slightly in pronunciation, but both varieties use the spelling definitely.
| Variety | Spelling | Pronunciation |
| American English | definitely | /ˈdef.ə.nət.li/ |
| British English | definitely | /ˈdef.ɪ.nət.li/ |
The spelling remains the same.
The Easy Trick to Remember Definitely
If definitely keeps tripping you up, don’t try to memorize every letter separately.
Remember this:
DEFINITE + LY = DEFINITELY
That’s the most useful spelling trick because it connects the adverb to a familiar word.
Remember the Word Definite
Start with:
definite
Then add:
-ly
You get:
definitely
For example:
- definite
- definitely
The e before the final ly belongs to the base word definite.
Think “Definite + Ly”
Another simple visual trick is to highlight the base word:
DEFINITE + LY
Now compare it with the common mistake:
DEFINATE + LY ❌
The incorrect version doesn’t contain definite.
That gives you a quick proofreading test:
Can you see “definite” inside “definitely”?
If yes, you’ve got the correct spelling.
Is Definately Ever Correct?
No. Definately is not the standard spelling of the English adverb meaning “certainly” or “without doubt.”
It is best treated as a misspelling of definitely.
You may encounter definately online, in informal messages, comments, social media posts, or other user-generated writing. Its appearance in those places doesn’t make it an accepted spelling.
For formal writing, academic work, business communication, professional documents, and edited content, use:
definitely ✅
not:
definately ❌
There’s also no special American or British spelling rule that changes definitely to definately.
Definitely in American and British English
The spelling definitely is standard in both American and British English.
That makes this different from spelling pairs such as:
- color / colour
- organize / organise
- center / centre
There is no equivalent American-British spelling split for definitely.
| English variety | Correct spelling |
| American English | definitely |
| British English | definitely |
| Canadian English | definitely |
| Australian English | definitely |
Pronunciation can vary, but the spelling stays definitely. Cambridge lists distinct US and UK pronunciations while maintaining the same written form.
Definitely vs Defiantly
Another word sometimes confused with definitely is defiantly.
This time, both words are real English words. Their meanings are completely different.
Definitely
Definitely means certainly or without doubt.
She will definitely attend the meeting.
The speaker is certain that she will attend.
Defiantly
Defiantly means in a way that shows resistance or open disobedience.
The student looked defiantly at the teacher.
Here, the student isn’t expressing certainty. The student is showing defiance.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Definitely | Certainly; without doubt | I will definitely help. |
| Defiantly | In a resistant or disobedient manner | He defiantly refused to apologize. |
| Definately | Incorrect spelling | ❌ Not the standard word |
This distinction matters because definitely and defiantly may look somewhat similar when typed quickly, but they perform completely different jobs.
Definitely vs Certainly
Definitely and certainly are close synonyms because both can express strong certainty.
I will definitely attend.
I will certainly attend.
Both sentences tell the reader that the speaker is confident about attending.
However, the tone can differ slightly depending on context.
Definitely often feels natural and conversational:
“Are you coming?”
“Definitely!”
Certainly can sound a little more formal:
“Certainly, I would be happy to help.”
Oxford lists certainly as a synonym of definitely when it means “without doubt.”
Other Synonyms for Definitely
Depending on the sentence, useful alternatives include:
- Certainly
- Absolutely
- Surely
- Undoubtedly
- Unquestionably
- Clearly
- For sure
- Without doubt
These words aren’t interchangeable in every situation. Tone matters.
For example, absolutely can sound more enthusiastic:
I absolutely loved the concert.
Meanwhile, undoubtedly can sound more formal:
She is undoubtedly one of the leading experts in the field.
So while synonyms can help you vary your writing, definitely remains the natural choice in many everyday sentences.
How Definitely Works in Different Types of Writing
One reason definitely appears so often is that it fits several writing situations.
In Everyday Messages
I’ll definitely be there tonight.
You should definitely try this restaurant.
These uses are relaxed and conversational.
In Professional Writing
The new process will definitely reduce the amount of manual work required.
Here, definitely expresses confidence. However, professional writers should use strong certainty carefully. If something isn’t actually certain, a more cautious term such as likely or probably may be more accurate.
In Academic Writing
Academic writing often requires precise levels of certainty.
For example:
The results definitely show that the treatment works.
This makes a very strong claim.
If the evidence doesn’t justify that level of certainty, a writer might instead say:
The results strongly suggest that the treatment works.
The spelling is easy. The bigger issue is choosing the right level of certainty.
In Dialogue
Dialogue makes particularly natural use of definitely:
“Do you want to come?”
“Definitely.”
“Are you sure?”
“Definitely.”
This short-response use is recognized by major dictionaries. Merriam-Webster describes definitely as a forceful way of expressing agreement or saying “yes.”
Common Spelling Mistakes With Definitely
The biggest mistake is straightforward:
definately ❌
However, writers sometimes make other variations when trying to remember the word.
The safest strategy is not to memorize several possible mistakes. Memorize the correct structure:
definite + ly
Once the base word is clear, the spelling becomes much more predictable.
Why “Definite” Helps
The adjective definite means clear, certain, or fixed.
The adverb definitely carries that same idea of certainty.
Consider:
a definite answer
and:
She definitely knows the answer.
The two words are related in both meaning and form.
Merriam-Webster gives the etymology of definitely as definite + -ly and records its first known use as an adverb in 1574.
That historical connection also gives you a solid reason to remember the spelling instead of relying only on visual memory.
A Simple Case Study: Fixing the Mistake
Imagine someone writing this sentence in an email:
I can definately finish the report by Friday.
The intended meaning is clear. The problem is spelling.
The correction is:
I can definitely finish the report by Friday.
Now apply the memory trick:
definite + ly
The corrected word contains the complete base word:
definitely
This method is more dependable than simply asking, “Does definately look right?”
When you’re familiar with a word, your eyes can sometimes overlook a small spelling error. Breaking the word into meaningful parts gives you another way to check it.
Definitely: Common Sentence Patterns
Learning a few common structures can make the word easier to use naturally.
Definitely + Verb
I definitely recommend this book.
She definitely understands the problem.
They definitely need more time.
Definitely + Adjective
That is definitely possible.
This is definitely worth the effort.
The new version is definitely better.
Definitely Going To
This construction is especially common in everyday English:
I’m definitely going to call him.
We’re definitely going to visit next summer.
She is definitely going to notice the difference.
Definitely Not
I’m definitely not interested.
That’s definitely not the answer.
He is definitely not ready.
These patterns show why definitely is useful beyond simple dictionary definitions. Its position in a sentence can help emphasize the speaker’s certainty.
When Should You Use Definitely?
Use definitely when you want to communicate a high level of certainty.
It works especially well when:
- You are confident something is true.
- You want to give a strong yes.
- You want to emphasize an opinion.
- You want to emphasize an intention.
- You want to strongly reject something with definitely not.
- You want to make a statement sound more certain.
For example:
I definitely want to visit New York someday.
This expresses a strong intention.
However, don’t use definitely simply to make a sentence sound more confident. If the evidence is uncertain, a weaker word may communicate the idea more accurately.
Compare:
The team will definitely win.
with:
The team will probably win.
The first expresses certainty. The second expresses likelihood.
That difference matters.
Definitely vs Probably
These words sit at very different points on the certainty scale.
| Word | General level of certainty |
| Definitely | Very strong certainty |
| Certainly | Very strong certainty |
| Probably | More likely than not |
| Possibly | Something may happen |
| Maybe | Uncertain |
For example:
She will definitely arrive before noon.
means the speaker is confident she will arrive before noon.
She will probably arrive before noon.
means the speaker thinks that is likely but isn’t certain.
Choosing the right adverb keeps your writing honest and precise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Definitely and Definately
Is definitely or definately correct?
Definitely is correct. Definately is a common misspelling and isn’t the standard spelling of the word.
Why do people spell definitely as definately?
The mistake likely comes from the word’s pronunciation and the difficulty of hearing every vowel clearly in rapid speech. The best way to remember the spelling is to connect it to definite.
Is definately a word?
Definately is not the standard spelling of the adverb meaning “certainly.” Use definitely instead.
How do you remember the spelling of definitely?
Remember:
DEFINITE + LY = DEFINITELY
The word definite is already sitting inside definitely.
Is definitely spelled differently in British English?
No. Both American and British English use definitely. The pronunciation can differ slightly, but the spelling stays the same.
What does definitely mean?
Definitely means certainly, without doubt, or unquestionably. It can also work as a strong affirmative response, such as “Definitely!”
What is the difference between definitely and defiantly?
Definitely means certainly. Defiantly describes behavior that shows resistance or disobedience.
I will definitely go.
He stared at the coach defiantly.
Can you use definitely by itself?
Yes. In conversation, definitely can work as a standalone response.
“Would you like to join us?”
“Definitely!”
It expresses a strong yes.
Is definitely formal or informal?
Definitely works in both everyday and formal contexts. It is common in conversation, emails, professional writing, and general prose. However, the level of certainty it communicates should match the evidence or situation.
Final Answer: Definitely Is Correct
When you’re choosing between definitely and definately, there isn’t a difficult rule to memorize.
The answer is:
Definitely ✅
Definately ❌
Definitely means certainly or without doubt. You can use it to express confidence, emphasize an opinion, give a strong yes, or form the phrase definitely not.
The spelling becomes much easier once you connect it to definite:
definite + ly = definitely
So when that familiar spelling doubt creeps in, don’t guess. Look for definite inside the word.
Definitely has the -ite-. That’s the form to remember.
