certainly

[sur-tn-lee]

adverb

1. with certainty; without doubt; assuredly.

   I'll certainly be there.

2. yes, of course.

   Certainly, take the keys.

3. to be sure; surely.

   He certainly is successful.

certainly

/ ˈsɜːtənlɪ /

adverb

1. with certainty; without doubt

   he certainly rides very well

1. by all means; definitely: used in answer to questions

Word History and Origins

Origin of certainly¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; certain + -ly

Example Sentences

Djokovic did not want to think about the future in the aftermath of his Flushing Meadows defeat - and certainly not as "far" as the Australian Open in little over four months' time.

From BBC

"Saving this sum would require much more than a crackdown on waste; it would almost certainly require substantial cuts to the quantity or quality of public services," said the IFS's Carl Emmerson.

From BBC

The idiots who thought he was dead — or dying — this weekend certainly got played.

From Salon

The extent to which her position on the conflict cost her the election is difficult to quantify, but it certainly cost her important votes in Michigan and took up oxygen during her campaign.

From Salon

More seriously, he adds, “But for us lot, this is certainly the end.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absolutely 
• assuredly 
• exactly 
• surely