adverb
Etymology
Origin of certainly
Explanation
Use the adverb certainly when you’re sure about a particular action — absolutely, positively sure. If you love the new shoes you just bought, you may defend your purchase by saying they were certainly worth the money you paid. The word certainly emphasizes that you’re positive about something. When you hear thunder and look up at a gray sky, you might say it will certainly rain. If you’re on a diet, you could say that you will certainly avoid chocolate cake. Certainly can also be used to answer a question in the affirmative. If your boss asks to speak to you, you might answer, “Certainly.” It’s just a formal way of saying “yes.”
Vocabulary lists containing certainly
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ly
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"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Chapters 4–6
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Novel Study: Barrio Boy, Parts 1–3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And thanks to her young family, she is certainly more motivated than ever.
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026
The Dodgers certainly have a track record of splashy offseason deals with eye-popping numbers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026
"If we had known she was a spy, we certainly would not have let her enter Taiwan," Liu told lawmakers in parliament.
From Barron's ● Nov. 11, 2026
The Cybertruck certainly provided some sizzle in 2019 when Tesla’s stock price was sliding and Musk appeared to be losing some of his ability to dominate the conversation inside and outside the auto industry.
From Slate ● Nov. 9, 2026
In any event, while the method is hardly foolproof, it is certainly worth trying if you should ever be faced with a marauding dragon.
From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
