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Actually vs Definitely - What's the difference?

actually | definitely |

As adverbs the difference between actually and definitely

is that actually is in act or in fact; really; in truth; positively while definitely is without question and beyond doubt.

actually

English

Adverb

(-)
  • (modal) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
  • Actually , I had nothing to do with that incident.
  • (obsolete) actively
  • Neither actually nor passively. — Fuller.

    Alternative forms

    * actially (nonstandard)

    Usage notes

    * In some other languages a word of similar spelling means "now" or "currently"; (e.g., Portuguese "atualmente", Spanish "actualmente", French "actuellement", German "aktuell", Italian "attualmente", Czech ""). This leads many non-native speakers of English to use "actually" when they mean "now" or "currently". * Some commentators have: *
  • remarked upon the irony that this qualifier of veracity often introduces an utter lie;, page 3 and,
  • *
  • noted that in many cases, (term) functions as little more than a vacuous emphatic utterance.ibidem , page 4
  • * In practice, actually and its synonyms are often used to insinuate that the following is either unusual or contrary to a norm or preceding assumption, or to merely preface an overconfident opinion contrasting a previous statement or norm (as per 'vacuous emphasis' note above). : This is actually a really beautiful song. (contrasting opinion) : Actually , I'm not from France - I'm from Switzerland. (contrary from assumption) : At the check-out, the cashier actually greeted me for once. (contrary from norm)

    Synonyms

    * in reality * literally * really * truthfully

    definitely

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Without question and beyond doubt.
  • The mother definitely has love for her child.
  • In a definite manner; decisively.
  • * Nikolai Gogol, The Nose (in translation)
  • And the Nose definitely turned away.