Definitely vs. Extremely

Attribute	Definitely	Extremely
Definition	Without doubt; certainly	To a very great degree; very much
Intensity	Strong	Intense
Emphasis	Emphasizes certainty	Emphasizes extremity
Usage	Commonly used in everyday language	Commonly used in formal language

Definition

Definitely and extremely are two adverbs that are often used to emphasize the certainty or intensity of a statement. While they may seem similar in meaning, there are subtle differences in how they are used and the level of emphasis they convey.

Usage

Definitely is typically used to express a high degree of certainty or assurance about something. For example, "I will definitely be there on time" implies a strong commitment to being punctual. On the other hand, extremely is used to emphasize the intensity or degree of something. For instance, "The weather is extremely hot today" conveys a high level of heat.

Intensity

One key difference between definitely and extremely is the level of intensity they convey. Definitely is often used to express a strong sense of certainty or assurance, while extremely is used to emphasize the extreme nature or degree of something. For example, "I definitely want to go to the concert" implies a strong desire, while "The movie was extremely boring" emphasizes the high level of boredom experienced.

Emphasis

Another difference between definitely and extremely is the type of emphasis they provide. Definitely is more focused on certainty and assurance, while extremely is more focused on intensity and degree. When using definitely, the emphasis is on the certainty of a statement, while with extremely, the emphasis is on the extreme nature of something. For example, "I definitely passed the exam" emphasizes the certainty of passing, while "The food was extremely spicy" emphasizes the high level of spiciness.

Subjectivity

One aspect to consider when comparing definitely and extremely is the subjective nature of their usage. While definitely is often used to express a personal opinion or belief with a high level of certainty, extremely is used to describe the objective intensity or degree of something. This means that definitely is more subjective in nature, while extremely is more objective. For example, "I definitely think this is the best restaurant in town" is a personal opinion, while "The restaurant is extremely popular" is a statement of fact.

Frequency

When it comes to frequency of use, definitely is generally used more often in everyday language compared to extremely. This is because definitely is often used to express certainty or assurance in a wide range of contexts, while extremely is typically used to emphasize the extreme nature of something. As a result, definitely is a more versatile adverb that can be used in various situations, while extremely is more specific in its usage. For example, you might say "I definitely need to buy groceries" on a regular basis, but you might only say "The storm was extremely powerful" in rare circumstances.

Conclusion

In conclusion, definitely and extremely are two adverbs that are used to emphasize certainty and intensity, respectively. While they may seem similar in meaning, there are subtle differences in how they are used and the level of emphasis they convey. Definitely is often used to express a high degree of certainty or assurance, while extremely is used to emphasize the extreme nature or degree of something. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right adverb to convey your intended meaning effectively.