Yesterday, 10:52 AM
If you have ever typed "definately" in a text message and felt a flicker of doubt before hitting send, you are far from alone. This is one of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language, showing up in everything from casual chats to job applications. The confusion usually comes down to a single swapped letter, and once you see why it happens, the correct spelling becomes much easier to remember for good.
Quick Answer: "Definitely" is the only correct spelling. "Definately" is a common misspelling and is never correct in standard English, no matter the context.
Why So Many People Misspell This Word
Part of the problem is pronunciation. When people say "definitely" out loud, especially quickly, the middle syllable often blurs into something that sounds closer to "uh" than a clear "i." That vague sound makes it tempting to write an "a" instead of an "i," since "definate" looks like it should rhyme with words like "passionate" or "desperate." But English spelling does not always follow pronunciation, and this is one of those cases where sounding it out leads you astray.
Another factor is the word "definite," which "definitely" is built from. If you already misspell "definite" as "definate," that mistake naturally carries over when you add "-ly" to form the adverb.
The Correct Spelling: Definitely
"Definitely" comes from the adjective "definite," meaning clear, certain, or precisely defined. Adding the suffix "-ly" turns it into an adverb, used to emphasize certainty.
Examples:
Why "Definately" Is Always Wrong
"Definately" is not a recognized variant, a regional spelling, or an older form of the word. It is simply an error, and it appears so often online that some people mistakenly assume it must be acceptable somewhere. It is not. Dictionaries, style guides, and spell-checkers across every major English-speaking region treat "definately" as incorrect, full stop.
This is different from words that have legitimate spelling variations depending on region, such as "colour" versus "color" or "organise" versus "organize." With "definitely," there is no British, American, or Australian version that uses an "a" in place of the "i."
A Simple Memory Trick
The easiest way to never misspell this word again is to remember its root: "definite" contains the word "finite," and "finite" is spelled with an "i," not an "a." Since "definite" comes from "finite," and "definitely" comes from "definite," the "i" carries through the entire word family.
Another popular trick is to break the word into smaller, familiar pieces: "DE-FINITE-LY." Saying it slowly in three parts, emphasizing the "finite" in the middle, helps many writers catch themselves before typing the wrong vowel.
Some people also use a slightly cheeky reminder: "There is no 'a' in certain, and there should be no 'a' in definitely either." While not a perfect rhyme, it reinforces the idea that the word is about certainty, not a vague guess.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Beyond the basic "definately" misspelling, a few related errors are worth watching for. Some writers add an extra letter and write "definitley," dropping the second "e" by mistake. Others occasionally write "diffinitely," confusing the opening sound with "different." Both of these are also incorrect; "definitely" keeps its spelling consistent regardless of how fast or casually it is typed.
It also helps to understand the basic Grammar rule behind forming adverbs from adjectives in English: most adjectives simply take "-ly" without altering the spelling of the root word. Since "definite" already ends in "e," adding "-ly" creates "definitely" with no letters removed or changed, which is a useful pattern to recognize when you encounter similar word pairs.
Definitely: Quick Reference
Spelling
Status
NotesDefinitely
Correct
Standard spelling everywhere
Definately
Incorrect
Common misspelling, never accepted
Definitley
Incorrect
Letter-order error
Diffinitely
Incorrect
Confused with "different"
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "definately" ever acceptable in informal writing? No. Even in texting or casual social media posts, "definately" remains a misspelling. It may not always be flagged in casual conversation, but it is never the technically correct form.
Why does spell-check sometimes miss this error? Some autocomplete and predictive text systems have learned from frequent user input and occasionally suggest the wrong spelling, especially on mobile keyboards. Always double-check suggested corrections rather than trusting them automatically.
What part of speech is "definitely"? It is an adverb, typically used to modify a verb or to emphasize certainty in a statement, as in "I will definitely call you back."
Is there a shorter way to express the same idea? Yes. Words like "certainly," "surely," or "absolutely" can often replace "definitely" in a sentence, which is a useful alternative if you are ever unsure of the spelling mid-sentence.
Final Thoughts
"Definitely" trips up even experienced writers because the way it sounds does not match the way it is spelled. Anchoring the word to its root, "definite," and remembering that "finite" always carries an "i," is the most reliable way to get it right every time. With a little repetition, the correct spelling becomes automatic, and "definately" will start to look as wrong on the page as it actually is.
Quick Answer: "Definitely" is the only correct spelling. "Definately" is a common misspelling and is never correct in standard English, no matter the context.
Why So Many People Misspell This Word
Part of the problem is pronunciation. When people say "definitely" out loud, especially quickly, the middle syllable often blurs into something that sounds closer to "uh" than a clear "i." That vague sound makes it tempting to write an "a" instead of an "i," since "definate" looks like it should rhyme with words like "passionate" or "desperate." But English spelling does not always follow pronunciation, and this is one of those cases where sounding it out leads you astray.
Another factor is the word "definite," which "definitely" is built from. If you already misspell "definite" as "definate," that mistake naturally carries over when you add "-ly" to form the adverb.
The Correct Spelling: Definitely
"Definitely" comes from the adjective "definite," meaning clear, certain, or precisely defined. Adding the suffix "-ly" turns it into an adverb, used to emphasize certainty.
Examples:
- I will definitely be at the meeting on time.
- She is definitely the best candidate for the job.
- This is definitely not what we discussed.
Why "Definately" Is Always Wrong
"Definately" is not a recognized variant, a regional spelling, or an older form of the word. It is simply an error, and it appears so often online that some people mistakenly assume it must be acceptable somewhere. It is not. Dictionaries, style guides, and spell-checkers across every major English-speaking region treat "definately" as incorrect, full stop.
This is different from words that have legitimate spelling variations depending on region, such as "colour" versus "color" or "organise" versus "organize." With "definitely," there is no British, American, or Australian version that uses an "a" in place of the "i."
A Simple Memory Trick
The easiest way to never misspell this word again is to remember its root: "definite" contains the word "finite," and "finite" is spelled with an "i," not an "a." Since "definite" comes from "finite," and "definitely" comes from "definite," the "i" carries through the entire word family.
Another popular trick is to break the word into smaller, familiar pieces: "DE-FINITE-LY." Saying it slowly in three parts, emphasizing the "finite" in the middle, helps many writers catch themselves before typing the wrong vowel.
Some people also use a slightly cheeky reminder: "There is no 'a' in certain, and there should be no 'a' in definitely either." While not a perfect rhyme, it reinforces the idea that the word is about certainty, not a vague guess.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Beyond the basic "definately" misspelling, a few related errors are worth watching for. Some writers add an extra letter and write "definitley," dropping the second "e" by mistake. Others occasionally write "diffinitely," confusing the opening sound with "different." Both of these are also incorrect; "definitely" keeps its spelling consistent regardless of how fast or casually it is typed.
It also helps to understand the basic Grammar rule behind forming adverbs from adjectives in English: most adjectives simply take "-ly" without altering the spelling of the root word. Since "definite" already ends in "e," adding "-ly" creates "definitely" with no letters removed or changed, which is a useful pattern to recognize when you encounter similar word pairs.
Definitely: Quick Reference
Spelling
Status
NotesDefinitely
Correct
Standard spelling everywhere
Definately
Incorrect
Common misspelling, never accepted
Definitley
Incorrect
Letter-order error
Diffinitely
Incorrect
Confused with "different"
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "definately" ever acceptable in informal writing? No. Even in texting or casual social media posts, "definately" remains a misspelling. It may not always be flagged in casual conversation, but it is never the technically correct form.
Why does spell-check sometimes miss this error? Some autocomplete and predictive text systems have learned from frequent user input and occasionally suggest the wrong spelling, especially on mobile keyboards. Always double-check suggested corrections rather than trusting them automatically.
What part of speech is "definitely"? It is an adverb, typically used to modify a verb or to emphasize certainty in a statement, as in "I will definitely call you back."
Is there a shorter way to express the same idea? Yes. Words like "certainly," "surely," or "absolutely" can often replace "definitely" in a sentence, which is a useful alternative if you are ever unsure of the spelling mid-sentence.
Final Thoughts
"Definitely" trips up even experienced writers because the way it sounds does not match the way it is spelled. Anchoring the word to its root, "definite," and remembering that "finite" always carries an "i," is the most reliable way to get it right every time. With a little repetition, the correct spelling becomes automatic, and "definately" will start to look as wrong on the page as it actually is.