A2adverb 1K

Certainly

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈsɜːtnli/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈsɜːrtnli/"]/

Meaning of Certainly

without doubt

In simple words: Definitely; for sure.

Certainly in a sentence

• Without treatment, she will **almost certainly** die.
• Certainly, the early years are crucial to a child's development.
• I'm certainly never going there again.
• I certainly hope we can do this again.
• She was certainly attractive but you couldn’t call her beautiful.
• It is **certainly true** that individual earthquakes are difficult to predict with any accuracy.
• This will certainly make them think again.
• ‘May I see your passport, Mr Scott?’ ‘Certainly.’
• ‘Do you think all this money will change your life?’ ‘Certainly not.’

How to use Certainly

Use 'certainly' when you want to emphasize affirmation or agreement. It is more formal than 'sure' and works well in professional settings, but might feel too strong in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'certainly' as 'certainly yes'— like a strong, confident nod.

Related words

Collocations with Certainly

• certainly agree
• certainly possible
• certainly not
• certainly true
• certainly yes

Synonyms for Certainly

• definitely

Opposites of Certainly

• uncertainly
• doubtfully

Common mistakes with Certainly

• 'Certainly' is often incorrectly used in place of 'certain' in adjectives.
• Learners might confuse 'certainly' with 'definitely' without noticing the subtle nuance.
• Some learners use 'certainly' in inappropriate contexts, such as casual greetings.

Frequently asked questions about Certainly

What does Certainly mean?

Definitely; for sure.

What is the definition of Certainly?

without doubt

How do you use Certainly in a sentence?

Without treatment, she will **almost certainly** die.

Can you give another example of Certainly?

Certainly, the early years are crucial to a child's development.

What are synonyms for Certainly?

Common alternatives include definitely.

What is the opposite of Certainly?

Opposite meanings include uncertainly, doubtfully.

What words go with Certainly?

It commonly pairs with certainly agree, certainly possible, certainly not, certainly true, certainly yes.

What are common mistakes when using Certainly?

'Certainly' is often incorrectly used in place of 'certain' in adjectives. Learners might confuse 'certainly' with 'definitely' without noticing the subtle nuance. Some learners use 'certainly' in inappropriate contexts, such as casual greetings.

How do you pronounce Certainly?

US: /["/ˈsɜːrtnli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈsɜːtnli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Certainly?

Use 'certainly' when you want to emphasize affirmation or agreement. It is more formal than 'sure' and works well in professional settings, but might feel too strong in casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Certainly?

"Certainly" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.