decidedly

Everyday

1. Clearly and without any doubt; very much: it was decidedly colder. tree →
2. In a firm way, showing you have made up your mind: «No,» she said decidedly. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories and formal writing to make a description stronger or to show someone is firm. Alice in Wonderland often uses it: Alice speaks decidedly when she is sure of herself. In a story it tells you the feeling is clear and certain.

Examples

• It was decidedly colder this morning. tree →
• «I'm not going,» said Alice decidedly. tree →
• The new playground is decidedly better than the old one. tree →
• The Rat was decidedly cross with Toad. tree →
• The cake looked decidedly odd. tree →
• She shook her head decidedly. tree →
• This maths test was decidedly harder. tree →
• The weather was decidedly against a picnic. tree →
• No, decidedly she was not at all like Lizina. tree →

Note

Adverb of «decided». Two meanings: «clearly/very» (decidedly better) and «firmly» (said decidedly). Not the same as «decisively», which means acting quickly and firmly to settle something.