decidedly

American  

[dih-sahy-did-lee] / dɪˈsaɪ dɪd li /

adverb

1. definitely or unambiguously; without qualification.

   The many reviews I’ve read of that book have been decidedly lukewarm.

2. in a way that is free from hesitation or wavering; resolutely.

   The heightened tension is occasioned by suicide bombers who have decidedly chosen death over life.

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Etymology

Origin of decidedly

decided ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Something described as being decidedly a certain way is absolutely that way, with no hint of doubt. If a character in a movie is decidedly evil, there's no question in your mind about it, it's so clearly true. The adverb decidedly is good for providing a strong emphasis. Your mom might be decidedly unhappy about your new car, or your grades might be decidedly improving this semester. In both cases, these things are undeniably clear. Decidedly comes from the adjective decided, or "resolute," from the Latin root decidere, "to decide or determine."

Example Sentences

Their friendship remains warm, as the one between the leaders seems decidedly chilly.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

But any visitor who has circled the White House on foot knows that it’s a decidedly wearisome experience, punctuated by the detritus of security barriers and by efforts to keep the public at bay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Global Payments, 4.7 times earnings, and Fiserv, seven times, are heavily indebted players in a decidedly unsexy part of fintech: processing card payments for merchants.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

As stocks slipped lower over the past five weeks, sophisticated institutional investors turned decidedly bearish.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

There’s no question it’s her, though she’s wan, squinty, and decidedly worse for wear.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

Related Words

• clearly
• determinedly
• distinctly
• downright
• positively
• really
• terribly
• unmistakably