positively

Adverb

positively (comparative more positively, superlative most positively)

1. In a positive manner.
   • He approached the interview positively.
   • There’s nothing – not. one. thing. – that Trump could do or say that would be received positively by TDSers.2018 July 20, Chris Cillizza, “What is ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ – and do you have it?”, in CNN
2. (modal) With certainty.
   • I will positively be there at 8 a.m.
   • The carriage nearly overturned, and he saw her eyes blaze at him, and she positively hissed, “I suppose you are enjoying this?”1920, Katherine Mansfield [pseudonym; Kathleen Mansfield Murry], “The Escape”, in Bliss and Other Stories, London: Constable & Company, published 1920, →OCLC, page 277

   Synonyms:

   categorically, decisively, definitely, assuredly, certainly, doubtless, doubtlessly, ex facie, fo shizzle, for a fact

3. Absolutely; utterly.
   • […] Easter Sunday, for all its traditions, is a gladless day in London. There is positively nothing to do.1915, Ernest Temple Thurston, The City of Beautiful Nonsense, page 118
   • She talked and laughed and positively forgot until he had come in (just as she had imagined) that Pearl Fulton had not turned up.1918 August, Katherine Mansfield [pseudonym; Kathleen Mansfield Murry], “Bliss”, in Bliss and Other Stories, London: Constable & Company, published 1920, →OCLC, page 127

   Synonyms:

   absolutely, all-out, tout à fait, all the way, stone-cold, blind, altogether, stark, cold, at large

4. (degree) Very.
   • I had a positively wonderful time.
   • The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. […] The bed was the most extravagant piece. Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the...1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   above a bit, absolutely, sorely, widely, horribly, horrendously, bone, abundantly, all too, all