cer ‧ tain ‧ ly S1 W1 /ˈsɜːtnli $ ˈsɜːr-/ BrE AmE adverb [sentence adverb]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ certainty ≠ ↑ uncertainty ; adverb : ↑ certainly ≠ ↑ uncertainly ; adjective : ↑ certain ≠ ↑ uncertain ]
1 . without any doubt SYN definitely :
I certainly never expected to become a writer.
They’re certainly not mine.
it is certainly true/possible etc
It is certainly true that there are more courses on offer.
The girl was almost certainly murdered.
‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’
2 . spoken used to agree or give your permission:
‘I’d like a beer, please.’ ‘Certainly, sir.’
‘Can I come along?’ ‘Certainly.’
3 . certainly not spoken used to disagree completely or to refuse to give permission:
‘May I go?’ ‘Certainly not!’
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say of course or sure rather than certainly when agreeing or giving permission:
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‘Can I sit down?’ ‘Of course.’
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THESAURUS
▪ certainly used when saying that you are sure about something:
Amy’s certainly growing, but she’s not gaining weight.
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It’s certainly not the cheapest way of getting to New York.
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‘Is this his signature?’ ‘Almost certainly.’
▪ undoubtedly used when saying that you are completely sure about something. Undoubtedly sounds more certain and a little more formal than certainly :
They are undoubtedly the better team.
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Undoubtedly it will be a huge shock for him.
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The furniture, although undoubtedly fashionable, was a little too plain for my taste.
▪ there is no doubt used when you are completely sure about something:
There is no doubt that violence on TV influences children.
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He’s definitely innocent. There’s no doubt about that.
▪ without (a) doubt used when you are completely sure about something:
She was without doubt one of Mexico’s finest artists.
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There would be, without a doubt, some perfectly ordinary explanation for his behaviour.