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Synonyms

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
"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

  1. 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

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing positively

Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ly

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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.

However, the Cherries can reflect positively on each replacement proving successful.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 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

But as a leading indicator, it is positively correlated.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Tech stocks surged as investors reacted positively to earnings from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

“I am positively flummoxed as to why your family felt the need for a dog,” said Crenshaw, eyeing her suspiciously.

From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate

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.