Cool MateDefinitely vs Of course he heard it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Definitely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Of course he heard it
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Definitely
| Definitely | Of course he heard it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs hi hɜːd ɪt//🇺🇸 //əv kɔːrs hi hɜrd ɪt// |
| Meaning | For sure, without a doubt | Yes, he definitely heard it. |
| Example | I definitely remember sending the letter. | When she asked if he's aware of the news, I replied, 'Of course he heard it.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | definitely agree, definitely believe, definitely know | heard it before, heard it all, certainly heard it |
| Antonyms | doubtfully, uncertainly | - |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'defiantly' which means resisting authority., Sometimes spelled incorrectly as 'definately'. | Overusing in formal situations, making it sound rude., Confusing with expressions like 'of course not'., Using it to answer questions that don’t require such emphasis. |
| Usage notes | Use 'definitely' to emphasize certainty. It fits well in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where alternatives like 'certainly' might be more suitable. | Used to emphasize that someone is aware of something obvious. Appropriate in everyday conversations but may sound dismissive in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Definitely vs Of course he heard it
What's the difference between Definitely and Of course he heard it?
Definitely: For sure, without a doubt Of course he heard it: Yes, he definitely heard it.
Which is more common: Definitely and Of course he heard it?
Definitely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Definitely: I definitely remember sending the letter. Of course he heard it: When she asked if he's aware of the news, I replied, 'Of course he heard it.'
Can I use Definitely and Of course he heard it interchangeably?
Not always. Definitely and Of course he heard it are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.