certainly

[sur-tn-lee]

See more synonyms for certainly on Thesaurus.com

adverb

with certainty; without doubt; assuredly: I'll certainly be there.
yes, of course: Certainly, take the keys.
surely; to be sure: He certainly is successful.

Origin of certainly

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at certain, -ly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for certainly

Contemporary Examples

Certainly, she seems to command near-total devotion among her clients.
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January 9, 2015
The well, ghost or no ghost, is certainly a piece of history with a bold presence.
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January 8, 2015
They will do it,” Revels declared, “as certainly as the sun shines in the heavens.
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January 7, 2015
Certainly paid paternity leave is part of it (and in the U.S., we need paid maternity and paternity leave).
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January 6, 2015
I am fortunate that I have never been deathly ill, but whenever I have the stomach flu, I most certainly feel like I am dying.
Why My Norovirus Panic Makes Me Sick
Lizzie Crocker
January 5, 2015

Historical Examples

She certainly knew he was liable to go at any time, in exactly the way he did go.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
I certainly did need you to come along right now and set me straight.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
"Certainly, Robert," was the reply, but the lawyer's manner showed some surprise.
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Horatio Alger
Too bad, though—you certainly need a wife to take the conceit out of you.
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Harry Leon Wilson
"You certainly do know your business, son," said Uncle Peter, fervently.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for certainly

certainly

adverb

with certainty; without doubthe certainly rides very well

sentence substitute

by all means; definitely: used in answer to questions

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for certainly

adv.

c.1300, in all main modern senses, from certain + -ly (2).

certainly

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}certainly

Examples from the Web for certainly

Contemporary Examples

Certainly, she seems to command near-total devotion among her clients.

The well, ghost or no ghost, is certainly a piece of history with a bold presence.

They will do it,” Revels declared, “as certainly as the sun shines in the heavens.

Certainly paid paternity leave is part of it (and in the U.S., we need paid maternity and paternity leave).

I am fortunate that I have never been deathly ill, but whenever I have the stomach flu, I most certainly feel like I am dying.

Historical Examples

She certainly knew he was liable to go at any time, in exactly the way he did go.

I certainly did need you to come along right now and set me straight.

"Certainly, Robert," was the reply, but the lawyer's manner showed some surprise.

Too bad, though—you certainly need a wife to take the conceit out of you.

"You certainly do know your business, son," said Uncle Peter, fervently.

certainly

Word Origin and History for certainly

adv.

Origin of certainly