From Middle English positively, equivalent to .

• • (RP) IPA: /ˈpɒz.ɪ.tɪv.li/
  • (America) IPA: /ˈpɑ.zɪ.tɪv.li/
  • (RP) IPA: /ˌpɒz.ɪˈtɪv.li/
  • (America) IPA: /ˌpɑ.zɪˈtɪv.li/

positively

1. (manner) In a positive manner.

   He approached the interview positively.

2. (modal) With certainty.

   Synonyms: categorically, decisively, definitely, Thesaurus:certainly

   I will positively be there at 8 a.m.

   • 1920, Katherine Mansfield [pseudonym; Kathleen Mansfield Murry], “The Escape”, in Bliss and Other Stories, London: Constable & Company, published 1920, →OCLC ↗, page 277 ↗:

     The carriage nearly overturned, and he saw her eyes blaze at him, and she positively hissed, “I suppose you are enjoying this?”

3. Absolutely; utterly.

   Synonyms: Thesaurus:completely

   • 1915, Ernest Temple Thurston, The City of Beautiful Nonsense, page 118:

     […] Easter Sunday, for all its traditions, is a gladless day in London. There is positively nothing to do.

   • 1918 August, Katherine Mansfield [pseudonym; Kathleen Mansfield Murry], “Bliss”, in Bliss and Other Stories, London: Constable & Company, published 1920, →OCLC ↗, page 127 ↗:

     She talked and laughed and positively forgot until he had come in (just as she had imagined) that Pearl Fulton had not turned up.

4. (degree) Very.

   Synonyms: Thesaurus:very

   I had a positively wonderful time.

   • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC ↗:

     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 great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.

• German: wohlgestimmt, wohlgesinnt, positiv, zustimmend, bejahend
• Italian: positivamente
• Portuguese: positivamente

• German: definitiv, bestimmt, entschieden, eindeutig, wirklich, gewiss, sicher
• Portuguese: certamente
• Spanish: inequívocamente, terminantemente, de todas maneras

• German: wirklich, sehr