certainlyadverb
uk/ˈsɜː.tən.li/us/ˈsɝː.tən.li/certainly adverb (IN NO DOUBT)
A2 used to reply completely or to emphasize something and show that there is no doubt about it:
She certainly had a friend called Mark, but I don't know whether he was her boyfriend.
"This is rather a difficult question." "Yes, it's certainly not easy."
"Do you think more money should be given to education?" "Certainly!"
"Had you forgotten about our anniversary?" "Certainly not! I've reserved a table at Michel's restaurant for this evening."
A2 used when agreeing or disagreeing strongly to a request:
"Could you lend me £10?" "Certainly."
"Did you take any money out of my purse?" "Certainly not!"
More examples
- We certainly don't lead a life of luxury but we're not poor either.
- The design certainly looks good on paper.
- The campaign has certainly succeeded in raising public awareness of the issue.
- I suppose (that) you think that's funny. Well, I certainly don't.
- His time in the army certainly toughened him up.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Certainty
- (as) clear as day idiom
- (as) sure as eggs is eggs idiom
- and that's flat! idiom
- assured
- assuredly
- bet
- cut and dried
- decided
- decidedly
- definite
- definitely
- doubt
- indeed
- natch
- pronounced
- proof positive
- seal
- set/put the seal on sth idiom
- shadow
- signed and sealed idiom
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certainly adverb (EXTREMELY LIKELY)
very likely to happen:
She will certainly win the election if the opinion polls are accurate.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Certainty
- (as) clear as day idiom
- (as) sure as eggs is eggs idiom
- and that's flat! idiom
- assured
- assuredly
- bet
- cut and dried
- decided
- decidedly
- definite
- definitely
- doubt
- indeed
- natch
- pronounced
- proof positive
- seal
- set/put the seal on sth idiom
- shadow
- signed and sealed idiom
See more results »