positively
Americanadverb
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with certainty; absolutely.
The statement is positively true.
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decidedly; unquestionably; definitely.
His conduct is positively shocking.
interjection
adverb
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in a positive manner
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(intensifier)
he disliked her: in fact, he positively hated her
Etymology
Origin of positively
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.
Vocabulary lists containing positively
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.
"We were positively surprised by how uniform the cells are," says Schütte.
From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 2026
“This is absolutely, positively spectacular,” USC’s Armstrong said of MLK’s results.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026
But friends often respond positively if you are honest about your financial situation, she says.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
Investors reacted positively to the targets, with Honeywell stock up in premarket trading before the June 29 breakup.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
Caroline was positively glowing, my mother quiet and thoughtful, my grandmother grinning and stealing little peeks at my face.
From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson
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.
