Word for Wednesday: Definitely

blog home

Our Word for Wednesday theme for 2023 is tricky spelling words. This year, after sharing the definition and etymology of each week’s word, we will end every blog post with some tips and tricks to help you spell it.

So far in March, we've looked at words beautiful, because, and business.Our fouth tricky spelling word of the month is definitely.

The word definitely is used to describe something that will happen without doubt or question. 

Here is definitely used in some example sentences:

  • It will definitely rain later. 
  • Are you definitely coming to my party?
  • My spelling has definitely improved since I started practising every day.

Definitely dates to the 1580s and comes from the word definite and the suffix ­-ly. Definite has been used since around 1500 to mean ‘certain’ and since to 1550s to mean ‘having fixed limits’. The word comes from the Latin ‘definitus’.

To help you remember how to spell this word, think of the word fin at the end of a film – it shows that film is definitely over. Definitely also contains the word finite.

Test yourself in one of our spelling games using the word definitely. 


22 Mar 2023
blog home

Try Spellzone for free

Recent Blogs

How to Recognise and Overcome Tricky Spelling Patterns With Clarity and Confidence
How to Teach Spelling with Minimal Stress: Simple Techniques for Busy Teachers
Spelling for Mindfulness: How Slowing Down Can Help You Focus and Learn
Spelling Slip-Ups: Everyday Words People Often Get Wrong (and Clever Ways to Get Them Right)
Jamie Oliver’s Dyslexia Revolution: Why Schools Must Do More Than Just Listen
Embedding Spelling Practice Across All Subjects in Primary Schools: Supporting Literacy Beyond English Lessons
How to Teach Spelling to Reluctant Learners: Engaging and Low-Stress Methods
Why English Spelling Is So Hard And What You Can Do About It
Spelling Tricks for Words That Don’t Sound How They’re Spelled
From Spelling to Pronunciation: Why English Words Don’t Always Sound How They Look
How Spelling Tests Can Be a Positive Learning Opportunity: Encouraging a Healthy Relationship with Assessments
Why Some Words Have Double Letters: Spelling Rules and Tips
Why Spelling Rules Matter: How Patterns Simplify Learning
Spellzone Earns High Praise in Independent Pedagogical Quality Report
Spelling Through Visualisation: Using Imagery to Remember Words
How Reading Improves Spelling: The Power of Context
Tricky English Spelling Patterns: How to Teach Common Letter Combinations
How to Create Effective Spelling Word Lists for Students: A Guide for Educators
Understanding Root Words: Unlocking the Meaning of Complex Words
Navigating the World of Hyphenated Words in English

"Fantastic - the most relevant material/resource ever seen for both dyslexia and teaching spelling rules."

College Lecturer