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.
Things would soon get positively feral as Karol’s backing rock band, composed entirely of women, shredded through the outro of the song “TQG,” giving it a heavy metal edge.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
This process produces negatively charged electrons and positively charged "holes."
From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026
Despite the lack of crossings so far, markets responded positively in the hours following the ceasefire.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
Traders have looked positively at energy companies amid a major shock to oil prices and forecasts that oil will continue to be a key driver for U.S. economic growth.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
But when she told them she wasn’t exactly sure whether Luke had been born in May or June, that set the voices positively buzzing.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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.
