decidedly
Americanadverb
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definitely or unambiguously; without qualification.
The many reviews I’ve read of that book have been decidedly lukewarm.
-
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.
Etymology
Origin of decidedly
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The ads, which came as paper mailers — in contrast to soon-to-be popular malware, pop-up ads and phishing emails — were decidedly less invasive and easily ignored.
From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026
A quietly captivating Willem Dafoe plays Ed Saxberger, a New York post office veteran of 37 years in a seemingly satisfying if decidedly low-key existence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Binface has characterized his Clacton campaign as “people vs. the establishment,” a framing that is no doubt irksome to Farage, who views himself decidedly as the people, not the establishment.
From Slate ● Aug. 12, 2026
Cox said that it may give some indication of the direction of travel but “the predictive qualities of the Big Mac Index are decidedly hit and miss.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
Hazel was decidedly late, and she had endured enough days with Mrs. Jacobs to know how this was going to go.
From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu
Definitions 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.
