Doubtlessly

/ˈdaʊtləsli/ adverb

Definition

Without doubt; certainly, unquestionably, or with certainty.

Etymology

Formed from 'doubtless' (adjective, from 'doubt' plus '-less,' meaning 'without') plus the adverbial '-ly.' The word has been used since the 1500s to express certainty, ironically being the opposite of 'doubtfully.'

Kelly Says

Doubtlessly is one of English's most interesting contradictions—we use a word literally meaning 'without doubt' (doubtless + -ly) to emphatically agree with something, even though the '-less' ending already makes it an adjective, so 'doubtlessly' is technically redundant!

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