Definite and Definitely

These words mean exact(ly), precise(ly). More perhaps than any other adjective and adverb they are today used unthinkingly and unnecessarily, both in speech and in writing, with a vague idea of adding emphasis to something that needs no emphasising. Some years ago it was fashionable among young people to give an affirmative answer by saying "definitely " and a negative one by saying "definitely not". Always mistrust these words, and never use them unless you are sure that you would not express your meaning properly without them. A typical example of the superfluous definite is:

This has caused two definite spring breakages to loaded vehicles. See also SPECIFIC.