decidedly
Americanadverb
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definitely or unambiguously; without qualification.
The many reviews I’ve read of that book have been decidedly lukewarm.
-
in a way that is free from hesitation or wavering; resolutely.
The heightened tension is occasioned by suicide bombers who have decidedly chosen death over life.
Etymology
Origin of decidedly
Explanation
Something described as being decidedly a certain way is absolutely that way, with no hint of doubt. If a character in a movie is decidedly evil, there's no question in your mind about it, it's so clearly true. The adverb decidedly is good for providing a strong emphasis. Your mom might be decidedly unhappy about your new car, or your grades might be decidedly improving this semester. In both cases, these things are undeniably clear. Decidedly comes from the adjective decided, or "resolute," from the Latin root decidere, "to decide or determine."
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.
While Frieze New York is a decidedly American fair, the best work here looked outward.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
To riff off the book’s famous maxim: Some cartoons are decidedly less equal than others.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Some of the people on the Iranian side are the same ones who once negotiated with Sherman, but those on the American side are decidedly not.
From Slate • May 1, 2026
The rest of Peacock’s schedule is decidedly middling.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
Knightley immediately got up, and in a manner decidedly graver than usual, said,
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
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.
