There is DEFINITELY no letter "A" in the word DEFINITELY.
This is not a flame directed towards any one person in particular... I post this to inform people as to the correct spelling of the word.
This post is also not intended as an insult towards our non-English speaking community-- the word has probably been spelled wrong in these forums thousands of times, so it's no wonder people believe that's how it's spelled.
According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the word definitely is the adverbial form of the adjective definite, which is defined thus:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Main Entry: def·i·nite
Pronunciation: 'de-f&-nit, 'def-n&t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin definitus, past participle of definire
1 : having distinct or certain limits <set definite standards for pupils to meet>
2 a : free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity <demanded a definite answer> b : UNQUESTIONABLE, DECIDED <the quarterback was a definite hero today>
3 : typically designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing <the definite article the>
4 a of floral organs : being constant in number, usually less than 20, and occurring in multiples of the petal number <stamens definite> b : CYMOSE <a definite inflorescence>
synonym see EXPLICIT
- def·i·nite·ly adverb
- def·i·nite·ness noun
the Urban Dictionary isn't very forgiving about the word "definately":
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Urban Dictionary
- Idiot-speak for "definitely". One of the most common moronic misspellings found on the internet.
- The word many people use to spell 'definitely' until they suddenly realize they've been spelling it the wrong way.
- The modern mis-spelling of definitely seen in almost every modern example where a spell checker was not deployed, most commonly in internet chat, probably from its mis-pronunciation by modern youth and/or being confused with unfortunately.
- The most common spelling of the word "definitely" in internet forums, comment pages, and chat rooms. If you pay attention, you will find that "definitely" is actually the second or third most common spelling. Alternatives include "definatly", "definetly", or best of all "defiantly".
- "definitely," as blogged, emailed, or texted by a complete moron.
This person also ranted about the spelling of the word "definitely" back in 2002.
Thus endeth the vocabulary lesson for today.
Next week, we learn what "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis " is (yes, it's a word).