certainly
SUR-tn-lee
Certainly (adv) means Without any doubt; definitely. Example: “If you miss this bus, you will certainly be late for school.”
adv
1
Without any doubt; definitely.
"That was certainly sweet of him."
"If you miss this bus, you will certainly be late for school."
"That was certainly not what I expected to hear from him."
"'I'm all grown up now' -'You certainly have (grown)!'"
"The accident was certainly caused by human error."
"This is certainly the best coffee in town."
2
Used as an emphatic way of saying yes.
""Can you help me?" "Certainly!""
How to use certainly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout doubt, or as an emphatic "yes".
Common pairings
certainly not
most certainly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more certainly, certainlier
- Superlative
- most certainly, certainliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
If you miss this bus, you will _____ be late for school.
Etymology
This word came from Middle English certeynly; it is equivalent to certain + -ly.
Synonyms
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definitely
surely
undoubtedly
absolutely
of course
unquestionably
damn right
damn straight
fo shizzle
for sure
oh yeah
wye aye
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for certainly
See all rhymes for certainly →Frequently asked questions
What does “certainly” mean?
The word “certainly” means without any doubt; definitely. In plain terms, without doubt, or as an emphatic "yes".
How do you pronounce “certainly”?
“Certainly” is pronounced SUR-tn-lee (/ˈsɝ.tn̩.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “certainly” in a sentence?
Here is “certainly” used in a sentence: “This is certainly the best coffee in town.”
What is another word for “certainly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “certainly” include damn right, damn straight, fo shizzle, for sure, oh yeah and wye aye.
What is the opposite of “certainly”?
The opposite of “certainly” — its antonyms — are arguably, conditionally, debatably, deniably and doubtfully.
What part of speech is “certainly”?
“Certainly” is an adverb.
Is “certainly” a common word?
“Certainly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “certainly” have?
“Certainly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: without any doubt; definitely.
What is the difference between certainly and surely?
Certainly expresses firm confidence that something is true or will happen — 'she will certainly win.' Surely often expresses hope or seeks agreement, with a slight hint of doubt — 'surely you agree?' Certainly sounds more definite, while surely can sound as though the speaker is checking or persuading.
What does certainly mean as a reply?
As a one-word answer, 'Certainly' is a polite, emphatic way of saying yes or 'of course.' It signals willing, confident agreement to a request — for example, 'Could you help me?' 'Certainly.' It sounds a little more formal and courteous than a simple 'sure' or 'yeah.'
Is certainly formal or informal?
Certainly is fairly neutral but leans slightly formal and polite, and it's common in professional or courteous speech. In casual conversation, people often reach for 'definitely,' 'for sure,' or 'of course' instead — though certainly fits comfortably in both formal and everyday settings.
What is an example of certainly in a sentence?
'The results are certainly impressive.' 'I will certainly be there by six.' 'It's certainly cold today.' In each sentence, certainly stresses that the speaker has no doubt at all about what they are saying, adding confidence and emphasis to the statement.
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