Confused between definitely and definately? Many learners spell this word incorrectly because it sounds the same. Using the wrong spelling can make your writing look unprofessional or careless.
- “Definitely” is the correct spelling. It means without doubt or certainly. Example: “I will definitely attend the meeting tomorrow.”
- “Definately” is a common misspelling and should be avoided in proper English writing.
This guide explains the difference between definitely and definately, provides simple examples, and gives tips to remember the correct spelling. Mastering this distinction helps you write confidently, accurately, and professionally.
Definitely or Definately
Definitely is the correct spelling. Definately is incorrect and not recognized in standard English.
❌ “Definately” – Why This Spelling Is Always Wrong
The Truth About “Definately”:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is “definately” a word? | NO – it’s a common misspelling |
| Is it in any dictionary? | ❌ Not in Oxford, Cambridge, Merriam-Webster |
| Why do people write it? | Pronunciation confusion |
Think of it this way:
“Definately” is to English what “definitley” is – completely incorrect.
Examples of What People Write vs What’s Correct:
| Wrong (Definately) | Correct (Definitely) |
|---|---|
| “I will definately come” | “I will definitely come” |
| “She definately knows” | “She definitely knows” |
| “It’s definately true” | “It’s definitely true” |
Example:
✔ I will definitely attend the meeting.
✘ I will definately attend the meeting.
If you’re asking “Is definitely grammatically correct?”—yes, absolutely. It means certainly, without doubt, or for sure. The incorrect spelling appears because people confuse pronunciation with structure.
“Spell Definitely” – Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re asking “how to spell definitely,” here’s the complete breakdown:
Step-by-Step Spelling of DEFINITELY:
| Letters | Sound | Trick |
|---|---|---|
| D-E | /dɛ/ | Start with “de” |
| F-I-N | /fɪn/ | Like “fin” in fish |
| I-T-E | /aɪt/ | Think “eye-t” |
| L-Y | /li/ | End with “lee” |
Total: D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y = 11 letters
Spelling Trick:
“DEFINE + ITE + LY = DEFINITELY”
Common Spelling Mistakes to Avoid:
| Wrong | Why It’s Wrong |
|---|---|
| Definately | Missing the second ‘i’ |
| Definitley | Wrong order of letters |
| Definetly | Missing letters |
| Defenitely | Wrong vowel |
🔍 “Definitely or Definately?” – Side by Side Comparison
Let’s put them next to each other:
| Aspect | Definitely | Definately |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y | D-E-F-I-N-A-T-E-L-Y |
| Status | ✅ CORRECT | ❌ INCORRECT |
| Dictionary Entry | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Has Meaning? | Yes – “without doubt” | No meaning |
| Usage | Everyday English | Never used |
In Sentences:
| Sentence | Correct? |
|---|---|
| “I definitely agree.” | ✅ CORRECT |
| “I definately agree.” | ❌ WRONG |
| “That’s definitely true.” | ✅ CORRECT |
| “That’s definately true.” | ❌ WRONG |
The Origin of Definitely
The word definitely comes from the Latin definire, meaning to set boundaries or limits. It passed into English through Old French and Middle English. The root word define is the key to remembering the spelling.
So why does definately exist? Simple: pronunciation. Many people pronounce “definitely” as def-in-it-ly instead of def-i-nite-ly. That spoken shortcut leads to the spelling error. Historically, English spelling preserved the root word define, while pronunciation evolved casually.
🤔 “How Do You Spell Definitely?”
The Simple Answer:
DEFINITELY is spelled D-E-F-I-N-I-T-E-L-Y
Memory Tricks:
| Trick | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Contains “FINITE” | Definitely has “finite” in it |
| Contains “DEFINE” | Think of the word “define” |
| “It’s definite” + ly | Definite + ly = definitely |
| No ‘A’ | Remember: there’s NO letter ‘A’ |
Rhyme to Remember:
“Definitely has no ‘a’ – that’s the rule to save the day!”
Quick Test:
If you want to write “definitely,” ask yourself: “Does this word have an ‘A’ in the middle?”
If yes → ❌ Wrong
If no → ✅ CorrectBritish English vs American English Spelling
Unlike words such as colour/color or centre/center, definitely has no spelling difference between British and American English.
| Variant | UK English | US English |
|---|---|---|
| Definitely | ✔ Correct | ✔ Correct |
| Definately | ✘ Incorrect | ✘ Incorrect |
So if you’re searching definitely or definately UK, the answer stays the same worldwide.
Recognisable or Recognizable: One Letter That Confuses Everyone
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Always use definitely, regardless of audience.
- US audience: Definitely
- UK/Commonwealth: Definitely
- Global or SEO writing: Definitely
Using definately can reduce trust, look unprofessional, and even harm search rankings. Google recognizes definitely spelling US as the only valid form.
Common Mistakes with Definitely
Here are frequent errors people make:
- ❌ Definately instead of definitely
- ❌ Confusing it with defiantly
- ❌ Incorrect pronunciation leading to wrong spelling
- ❌ Writing it casually in formal emails
Correction tip:
Remember define + itely = definitely.
Definitely in Everyday Examples
Emails:
“I will definitely reply by tomorrow.”
News:
“The policy will definitely impact the economy.”
Social Media:
“That movie is definitely worth watching.”
Formal Writing:
“The results definitely support the hypothesis.”
This word works in casual and professional contexts when spelled correctly.
Definitely – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows that definitely or definately meme searches spike because people joke about the mistake. However, educational searches like How to write definately? and What is the meaning of the word definately? show ongoing confusion.
- High usage in US, UK, India, Pakistan
- Frequently misspelled in mobile typing
- Common in grammar correction tools
Google treats definately as a spelling error, not a variant.
Definitely or Definately – Comparison Table
| Feature | Definitely | Definately |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Dictionary listed | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Grammar approved | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| SEO safe | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
| Professional use | ✔ Yes | ✘ No |
FAQs
1. What is the meaning of the word definately?
It has no official meaning. It’s a misspelling of definitely.
2. How do you spell “definitely please”?
Correct: Definitely, please.
3. Is “definitely” grammatically correct?
Yes, it is a proper adverb.
4. What are definitely synonyms?
Certainly, surely, absolutely, clearly.
5. What are definitely definately synonyms?
Only definitely has valid synonyms. Definately has none.
6. How do I remember the spelling?
Think of the word define inside definitely.
7. Is definately ever acceptable?
No, not in formal or informal English.
Conclusion
Spelling mistakes happen, but some errors matter more than others. Definitely vs definately is one of the most common English spelling confusions—and now, one of the easiest to fix. The correct spelling is definitely, always and everywhere. There is no British or American variation, no informal exception, and no grammatical debate.
Understanding the origin of the word, recognizing pronunciation traps, and seeing real-world examples makes the rule stick. Whether you’re writing an email, publishing content, posting on social media, using the correct spelling builds credibility and trust instantly.
If you remember just one thing, let it be this: definitely contains the word define. Keep that in mind, and you’ll never type definately again. Your writing will look sharper, clearer, and more professional—definitely.
Daisy Johnson is a creative writer who crafts vivid similes and poetic expressions to help readers enrich their language and imagination.
