positively

American  

[poz-i-tiv-lee, poz-i-tiv-lee] / ˈpɒz ɪ tɪv li, ˌpɒz ɪˈtɪv li /

adverb

1. with certainty; absolutely.

   The statement is positively true.

2. decidedly; unquestionably; definitely.

   His conduct is positively shocking.

---

interjection

1. (used to express strong affirmation) yes.

   Do you plan to go to the party? Positively!

positively British  

/ ˈpɒzɪtɪvlɪ /

adverb

1. in a positive manner

2. (intensifier)

   he disliked her: in fact, he positively hated her

---

1. unquestionably; absolutely

Etymology

Origin of positively

First recorded in 1585–95; positive + -ly

Explanation

Positively is a word that places emphasis on another word or statement. A positively funny joke is an extremely funny joke. Some words — like very and absolutely — exist mainly to turn the volume up on other things we say. Positively is like that. If your back hurts, you might say, "It's positively killing me!" If you want to see a movie, you might say, "I absolutely, positively must go." Someone might ask, "Are you positively sure you don't want some cake?" if they can't quite believe you don't want some. People use this word to emphasize a point.

Example Sentences

But as a leading indicator, it is positively correlated.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

The tongue-in-cheek title track positively swaggers, while “The Riff That Won’t Quit” lives up to its name.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Let’s look at a couple of beaten-down stocks in the group that could be positively impacted.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Produced and directed by Ernst Lubitsch and written by his frequent collaborator Samson Raphaelson, this Paramount picture, running a pert 82 minutes, positively shimmers with wit and sizzles with innuendo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“None; not one. He positively said that it had been known to no being in the world but their two selves.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

Related Words

• certainly
• easily
• emphatically
• firmly
• undoubtedly