deffoint.adv.
/ˈdɛfəʊ/, U.S. /ˈdɛfoʊ/, Australian English /ˈdefoʊ/ colloquial (originally Australian)
A. int.
Yes; certainly, absolutely. Cf. definitely adv. b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > affirmation and denial > [adverb] > as an emphatic affirmative
absolutely1825
rather1836
a thousand times, yes1896
definitely1931
deffo1940
damn straight1964
1940 Sunday Times (Perth, Austral.) 17 Nov. 14/1 Does the girl lend her escort money to take her out on the understanding that it's paid back on Friday?..But deffo!
1982 Irish Times 3 Nov. 5/4 The Government...will indeed get a clear vote of confidence from the House. Deffo.
2013 Cricketer Nov. 81/3 That's going to hit the stumps, deffo!
B. adv.
Decisively; without doubt; certainly. Cf. definitely adv. a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > assuredly, indeed
soothlyc825
forsoothc888
wiselyc888
sooth to sayOE
i-wislichec1000
to (‥) soothOE
iwis?c1160
certesa1250
without missa1275
i-witterlic1275
trulyc1275
aplight1297
certc1300
in (good) fayc1300
verily1303
certain1330
in truthc1330
to tell (also speak, say) the truthc1330
certainlya1375
faithlya1375
in faitha1375
surelya1375
in sooth1390
in trothc1390
in good faitha1393
to witc1400
faithfullyc1405
soothly to sayc1405
all righta1413
sad?a1425
in certc1440
wella1470
truec1480
to say (the) truth1484
of a truth1494
of (a) trotha1500
for a truth?1532
in (of) verity1533
of verityc1550
really1561
for, in, or into very?1565
indeed1583
really and truly1600
indeed and indeed1673
right enough1761
deed1816
just1838
of a verity1850
sho1893
though1905
verdad1928
sholy1929
ja-nee1937
only1975
deffo1996
1996 Courier Mail (Queensland, Austral.) 9 Mar. (Weekend section) 4/4 I thought you pinned him in a corner... You was deffo, deffo, in charge.
2005 S. Moriarty Perfect Match viii. 64 Number ten kicks the ball when they have penalties. He's deffo a key player.
2012 Northern Echo (Darlington) 24 May 3 Now I will deffo go.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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int.adv.1940