Many English learners, students, and even native speakers often get confused between definitely or definately because these words sound very similar when spoken quickly. However, only one spelling is correct in standard English. The correct spelling is definitely, while definately is a common spelling mistake.
The word definitely is used in both American English and British English. It appears in everyday conversations, emails, professional writing, social media, and academic work. Understanding the correct usage of definitely helps you communicate more clearly and avoid one of the most common English spelling errors.
This confusion happens because people often write the word based on pronunciation. The middle part sounds like “ate,” which makes many people incorrectly replace “ite” with “ate.” Learning the spelling pattern, meaning, pronunciation, and examples can help you remember the correct form easily.
Quick Answer
✅ Correct: Definitely
❌ Incorrect: Definately
Definitely means certainly, without doubt, or surely.
Examples:
- I will definitely come.
- She definitely knows the answer.
Definately is not a correct English spelling.
Definitely Meaning
The word definitely is an adverb. It means:
- Certainly
- Without doubt
- Clearly
- Absolutely
- Surely
Examples:
- He is definitely ready.
- I will definitely help you.
- This is definitely the right choice.
Grammar Role of Definitely
Definitely is an adverb.
It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Examples:
Modifying a verb:
- I definitely agree.
Modifying an adjective:
- She is definitely happy.
Modifying another adverb:
- He is definitely very talented.
Definitely in American English
American English uses definitely frequently in both formal and casual situations.
Examples:
- I will definitely call you later.
- She definitely deserves the award.
- This is definitely important.
- We definitely need more time.
- He definitely finished the project.
Definitely in British English
British English also uses definitely with the same spelling and meaning.
Examples:
- I definitely remember that.
- They will definitely arrive tomorrow.
- She definitely understands the problem.
- It is definitely worth trying.
- He definitely made a mistake.
There is no UK vs US English spelling difference.
Definitely vs Definately Comparison Table
| Feature | Definitely | Definately |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Meaning | Certainly, surely | No standard meaning |
| Grammar | Adverb | Incorrect form |
| Usage | Formal and informal | Avoid |
| UK English | Correct | Wrong |
| US English | Correct | Wrong |
Pronunciation of Definitely
The correct pronunciation is:
IPA: /ˈdefɪnətli/
Pronounced:
DEF-in-it-lee
The incorrect spelling definately happens because many people hear the word as:
“DEF-in-ate-lee”
but the correct spelling contains:
definite + ly = definitely
Why Do People Confuse Definitely and Definately?
The confusion happens because:
- The pronunciation is not obvious.
- People connect it with the word “definite.”
- They mistakenly change i into a.
The correct pattern is:
definite → definitely
Not:
definate → definately
Word Origin and Etymology of Definitely
The word definitely comes from the adjective definite.
Definite comes from Latin:
definitus
Meaning:
- Limited
- Clearly defined
- Determined
The word developed into English through French and later formed the adverb definitely.
Definitely Synonyms
| Synonym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Certainly | Without doubt |
| Surely | Confidently |
| Absolutely | Completely true |
| Clearly | Easy to see |
| Undoubtedly | No question |
| Indeed | Truly |
Examples:
- I will definitely go.
- I will certainly go.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
1. Writing Definately
❌ I definately agree.
✅ I definitely agree.
2. Removing the “i”
❌ He definatly won.
✅ He definitely won.
3. Confusing Definite and Definitely
Definite = adjective
Definitely = adverb
Examples:
- It is a definite answer.
- I definitely know.
4. Wrong Spelling in Emails
❌ I will definately send it today.
✅ I will definitely send it today.
5. Incorrect Social Media Spelling
❌ This is definately amazing.
✅ This is definitely amazing.
6. Pronunciation Mistake
Wrong:
DEF-in-ate-ly
Correct:
DEF-in-it-ly
7. Using Definitely as a Noun
❌ My definitely is yes.
✅ My definite answer is yes.
Real-Life Examples of Definitely
Emails
- I will definitely reply today.
- We definitely received your message.
Office
- This will definitely improve productivity.
- She is definitely the best candidate.
School
- I will definitely complete my homework.
- This topic is definitely important.
Banking
- The payment will definitely arrive.
- I definitely checked the account.
Social Media
- This is definitely true.
- I definitely love this idea.
Everyday Conversation
- Are you coming?
- Definitely!
Memory Tricks to Remember Definitely
1. Remember “Finite”
Definitely comes from:
definite + ly
Think:
finite → definite → definitely
2. Keep the “I”
Definitely has:
definItely
Not:
definAtely
3. Break the Word
Def + in + ite + ly
4. Think “Definitely = Definite”
The base word is definite.
5. Write It Three Times
Definitely
Definitely
Definitely
FAQs
Is definitely or definately correct?
Definitely is correct. Definately is incorrect.
What does definitely mean?
Definitely means certainly or without doubt.
How do you spell definitely?
D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y
Is definately a word?
No. It is a spelling mistake.
Is definitely used in British English?
Yes. Both UK and US English use definitely.
How do you pronounce definitely?
DEF-in-it-lee.
What are synonyms of definitely?
Certainly, surely, absolutely, clearly, and undoubtedly.
Is definitely formal?
Yes. It can be used in formal and informal writing.
People Also Ask
Why do people spell definitely wrong?
Because they write it based on how it sounds instead of remembering the original word “definite.”
How can I remember definitely spelling?
Remember: definite + ly = definitely.
Can definitely start a sentence?
Yes.
Example:
Definitely, I will help you.
Conclusion
The difference between definitely or definately is simple once you remember the correct spelling. The correct word is definitely, while definately is a common spelling mistake. Definitely is an important adverb used to show certainty, confidence, or agreement.
This word is common in conversations, emails, professional writing, and online communication. Many people make this mistake because the pronunciation can be confusing, but remembering that it comes from the word definite makes the spelling easier.
Whether you are writing for school, work, or everyday communication, using definitely correctly improves your English accuracy. Always remember: definitely is correct, definately is wrong.
