What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between certainly and absolutely?

certainly | absolutely |

Absolutely is a synonym of certainly.



As adverbs the difference between certainly and absolutely

is that certainly is in a way which is certain; with certainty while absolutely is in an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly.

As an interjection absolutely is

yes; certainly; expression indicating strong agreement.

certainly

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In a way which is certain; with certainty.
  • *, I.iii.2.2:
  • *:he verily thought he had young live frogs in his belly, qui vivebant ex alimento suo , that lived by his nourishment, and was so certainly persuaded of it, that for many years following he could not be rectified in his conceit.
  • Without doubt, surely.
  • :
  • :
  • :
  • *
  • *:So this was my future home, I thought! Certainly it made a brave picture. I had seen similar ones fired-in on many a Heidelberg stein. Backed by towering hills,a sky of palest Gobelin flecked with fat, fleecy little clouds, it in truth looked a dear little city; the city of one's dreams.
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=(Gary Younge)
  • , volume=188, issue=26, page=18, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution , passage=WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.}}
  • An emphatic affirmative answer; of course.
  • :
  • Synonyms

    * absolutely, beyond doubt, indubitably, sure thing, undoubtedly, wis, without a doubt

    Coordinate terms

    * maybe, possibly, arguably, questionably, probably, perhaps

    Derived terms

    * most certainly

    References

    * *

    absolutely

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly.
  • Independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors.
  • (grammar) In a manner that does not take an object.
  • Usage notes

    * Absolutely'' is not to be confused with intensives such as ''very'' or ''indeed , as it is an unconditional term.

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • Yes; certainly; expression indicating strong agreement.
  • Usage notes

    * Some commentators, especially in England, criticise the interjectional use as having no useful meaning beyond that of yes;, page 3 however, this assumes that emphasis is useless, which, pragmatically speaking, it isn’t.

    References

    See also

    * absitively posolutely English degree adverbs