positively

[poz-i-tiv-lee or especially for 3, poz-i-tiv-lee]

See more synonyms for positively on Thesaurus.com

adverb

with certainty; absolutely: The statement is positively true.
decidedly; unquestionably; definitely: His conduct is positively shocking.

interjection

(used to express strong affirmation) yes: Do you plan to go to the party? Positively!

Origin of positively

First recorded in 1585–95; positive + -ly

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

Examples from the Web for positively

Contemporary Examples

In the safety of the light of day, we positively revel in our facts.
On Torture, Chuck Johnson & Sondheim
James Poulos
December 13, 2014
Afterwards, the bodies were taken to the morgue to positively identify them.
The Shocking Death of Miss Honduras
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena
November 19, 2014
On the other hand, he was positively effusive about the former first lady and New York senator.
Panetta Criticizes Obama’s Syrian ‘Red Line’ Screw-Up, and Other Failures of Leadership
Lloyd Grove
October 8, 2014
Because, for me, the idea of the regal Diane in the ratty warehouse digs is positively tantalizing.
‘The Good Wife’ Creators on the Premiere’s Big Cary Twist, Will’s Death, and More
Kevin Fallon
September 22, 2014
Baltimore Sun television columnist David Zurawik has been positively effusive.
How TMZ Claims Its Celebrity Scalps, Like Ray Rice
Lloyd Grove
September 10, 2014

Historical Examples

When he did go it was always understood to be positively for not more than two weeks.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
This perpetual atmosphere of duplicity was positively distasteful.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
And my confidence, Linda, is positively supreme that she could not do it.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
Positively, there did seem to be a kind of stifled murmur, within!
The Paradise of Children
Nathaniel Hawthorne
He is confined to his room, and is positively starving for company.
The Little Colonel
Annie Fellows Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for positively

positively

adverb

in a positive manner
(intensifier)he disliked her: in fact, he positively hated her

sentence substitute

unquestionably; absolutely

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 positively

adv.

mid-15c., "in a definite way," from positive (adj.) + -ly (2). Meaning "absolutely" is from 1777.

positively

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for positively

Contemporary Examples

In the safety of the light of day, we positively revel in our facts.

Afterwards, the bodies were taken to the morgue to positively identify them.

On the other hand, he was positively effusive about the former first lady and New York senator.

Because, for me, the idea of the regal Diane in the ratty warehouse digs is positively tantalizing.

Baltimore Sun television columnist David Zurawik has been positively effusive.

Historical Examples

When he did go it was always understood to be positively for not more than two weeks.

This perpetual atmosphere of duplicity was positively distasteful.

And my confidence, Linda, is positively supreme that she could not do it.

Positively, there did seem to be a kind of stifled murmur, within!

He is confined to his room, and is positively starving for company.

positively

Word Origin and History for positively

adv.

Origin of positively