We have all been there. You are firing off an email or texting someone you really want to impress, and you type out that one word that feels like a linguistic trap. You want to express certainty. You want to be emphatic. But suddenly, your thumb hovers over the keyboard. How do you spell definately?
Wait. If you just looked at that title and didn't see the red flags, we need to talk.
The truth is, "definately" is not a word. It has never been a word. Yet, it is arguably one of the most persistent spelling errors in the English-speaking world. In fact, if you search for the term on Google, you'll find millions of hits, most of which are people accidentally proving that our collective grip on vowels is tenuous at best.
The Cold Hard Truth About the Spelling
Let’s get the "how do you spell definately" question out of the way immediately: the correct spelling is definitely.
It ends in -itely. Not -ately. Not -atly. And for the love of all things holy, it definitely does not have an "a" in it.
It's weirdly easy to mess up. People see the word "definite" and their brain starts doing gymnastics. Because we often pronounce it with a sort of "uh" sound in the middle—what linguists call a schwa—it’s incredibly tempting to throw an "a" in there. We say def-in-ut-lee. That middle syllable is a bit of a ghost. If you aren't paying close attention to the root of the word, you'll end up with a spelling that makes English teachers weep.
Why Your Brain Wants to Add an "A"
Ever wonder why "definately" feels so right even when it's so wrong? It’s basically a case of phonetic sabotage.
English is a messy language. It’s essentially three languages wearing a trench coat, pretending to be one. We have words like separate and desperate that use that "ate" suffix, and our brains love patterns. If separate has an "a," why shouldn't definitely?
Actually, the word comes from the Latin definitus, which means "bounded" or "limited." If you look at the Latin root, you’ll notice something important: there isn't an "a" anywhere in sight. The root is finis, meaning "end" or "limit." Think of words like finish, finite, or infinite. None of those have an "a" in them, right? You wouldn't spell it "infinate."
Once you connect definitely to finite, the spelling clicks. It's about limits. It's definite.
The Hall of Shame: Other Ways We Get It Wrong
It’s not just "definately." People get creative with this one.
Some people go with "definitly," skipping the second "i" entirely. Others land on "definetly," which is a classic "e" swap. Then you have the absolute chaotic energy of "defiantly."
"Defiantly" is a real word, but it means something completely different. If you tell your boss you will "defiantly have that report on their desk by five," you aren't saying you’re certain; you’re saying you’re doing it in an act of rebellion. You are basically telling them to shove it while handing them the paperwork. Context matters. Spellcheck often won't catch this because "defiantly" is a correctly spelled word, just used in a hilariously wrong way.
Does Correct Spelling Even Matter Anymore?
You might think that in the age of ChatGPT and sophisticated autocorrect, obsessing over "how do you spell definately" is a waste of time.
It isn't.
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Oxford University researchers and various linguistic studies have consistently shown that spelling errors in professional contexts—like a resume or a high-stakes pitch—subconsciously signal a lack of attention to detail. It's unfair, sure. A typo doesn't mean you aren't brilliant. But humans are judgmental creatures. We look for shortcuts to evaluate people, and bad spelling is a very easy "no" pile shortcut.
Honestly, it's about credibility. When you use the correct spelling, you aren't just being a "grammar nerd." You are showing that you know the rules of the road.
How to Never Forget the Correct Spelling Again
If you're still struggling, here is the secret sauce. Stop trying to memorize the whole word. Just remember the middle.
Think of the word finite.
- Can you spell finite? (F-I-N-I-T-E)
- Add "de" to the front.
- Add "ly" to the back.
- Drop the silent "e" before adding the suffix if you're looking at the root, but for definitely, just remember: de + finite + ly.
It works every time.
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Another trick? If you find yourself typing an "a," tell yourself: "There is no A in definitely." This is a mantra. Say it out loud. It sounds silly, but it creates a mental block against the most common mistake. There is a whole website—literally d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com—dedicated solely to telling people there is no "a" in the word. That is how big of a problem this is.
The Evolution of the Error
Interestingly, "definately" is what's known as a "stable misspelling." It’s not a new trend caused by "the kids these days" and their TikToks. People have been misspelling this word for decades.
Some linguists argue that if enough people spell a word "wrong" for long enough, it eventually becomes an accepted variant. That’s how we got words like "apron" (it used to be "a napron," but people misheard it). However, for definitely, the "a" version hasn't made the cut yet. It’s still viewed as a pure error.
Dictionaries like Merriam-Webster and Oxford keep a close eye on these things. They track how often "definately" appears in published text. While it’s everywhere on social media, it rarely makes it past professional editors. This means the "prestige" version of the word remains firmly "definitely."
Real-World Impact of the Typo
Let's look at some data. A few years ago, a study of dating app profiles found that "definately" was one of the top turn-offs for users. People actually swiped left because of a vowel.
In the world of SEO and content writing, using the wrong spelling can actually hurt your rankings—unless, of course, you are writing an article specifically about how to spell it. Google's algorithms have become incredibly good at understanding intent, but they still prioritize high-quality, authoritative content. If your blog post is littered with "definately," "recieve," and "accross," the search engine might decide you aren't a reliable source of information.
Moving Toward Perfect Spelling
If you want to fix your spelling habits for good, don't rely on your phone. Autocorrect is a crutch that sometimes fails you (especially with the whole "defiantly" situation).
Instead, try these actionable steps:
- Handwrite the word. Take a piece of paper and write definitely ten times. The muscle memory in your hand is different from the muscle memory in your thumbs.
- Use the "finite" trick. Every time you go to type it, pause and visualize the word finite in the center.
- Read more books. This sounds cliché, but seeing the word spelled correctly in print reinforces the correct visual pattern in your brain.
- Audit your "frequent typos" list. Most smartphones allow you to set text replacements. Go into your settings and make it so that whenever you type "definately," it automatically changes to "definitely."
You've got this. Spelling is a skill, not an innate talent. By focusing on the root word—finite—you can kill this common error once and for all. No more second-guessing yourself before hitting send. No more looking it up on Google. Just pure, unadulterated certainty. You are definitely going to be a better speller from here on out.