Have you ever paused while typing and wondered, is it definitely or definately? You’re not alone. This tiny spelling confusion trips up students, professionals, and even native English speakers every single day.
A single misplaced letter can make your writing look careless, change credibility, or even affect SEO performance online. That’s why people constantly search for definitely / definately meaning, correct usage, and grammar rules.
The confusion exists because definately looks right, sounds right when spoken fast, and is commonly misspelled across emails, social media, and memes. Autocorrect sometimes misses it too. This article solves that confusion clearly and permanently.
You’ll learn the correct spelling of definitely, why definately is wrong, how British and American English treat it, and how to use it confidently in real life. By the end, you’ll never second-guess this word again—and yes, you’ll definitely spell it right.
Definitely or Definately
Definitely is the correct spelling. Definately is incorrect and not recognized in standard English.
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.
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.
British 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 / 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 vs 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, or optimizing for SEO, 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.
