Following the almost complete alteration of meaning of ‘disinterested’, (it now means ‘uninterested’ almost universally), I have noticed that ‘definately’ is becoming almost interchangeable with ‘definitely’.
There is a strong argument that English is successful precisely because it is flexible. There is also historical evidence that demonstrates spelling has only recently been standardised. However, some might say ‘definately’ is the thin end of the wedge.
For me, the spelling of a word isn’t that much of a worry, provided it is still understandable. But the loss of nuance that has occurred with the repurposing of the earlier ‘disinterested’ makes me sad.
The difficulty I see is the "definitely" derives etymologically from "finis", meaning originally boundary, limit, border, and "definately" looks as if it should derive from "natus", "born", as in "innate ideas".
ReplyDeleteWere I still a copy editor, "definately" would not appear in any publication I had responsibility for.
One never stops being a copy editor and, as such, I agree. But copy editors are a rarer and rarer breed.
DeleteRelevant post: https://charltonteaching.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-replacement-of-disinterested.html
ReplyDeleteThank you.
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