indubitably
English
WOTD – 16 September 2008
Etymology
indubitable + -ly
Pronunciation
Adverb
indubitably (comparative more indubitably, superlative most indubitably)
- In a manner that leaves no possibility of doubt; undoubtedly.
- 1871, Thomas Hardy, Desperate Remedies, ch. 18:
- Now his first suspicion was indubitably confirmed.
- 1907, William James, "Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking":
- The world is indubitably one if you look at it in one way, but as indubitably is it many, if you look at it in another. It is both one and many—let us adopt a sort of pluralistic monism.
- 1871, Thomas Hardy, Desperate Remedies, ch. 18:
Usage notes
Currently particularly used as a humorous interjection, particularly in American English, and seen as somewhat affected, if not outright haughty or campy. Compare this use by comedy cartoon Goofy Gophers (US, 1947–65).
Synonyms
Related terms
Translations
Undoubtedly; unquestionably
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References
- indubitably in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
- “indubitably” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
- Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.
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