adverb

course

Certainly, as an informal shortening of “of course.”

'Course you can borrow my jacket if you feel cold.

Etymology

Latin cursus meant a running or course. Of course describes what follows the normal course of things; the shortened reply course retains that assurance that something is naturally so.

More examples

  • 'Course I'm coming to your party.
  • 'Course she knows the answer; she's the expert.
  • 'Course we need tickets to get inside.

Forms

course

Similar words

certainly
More neutral and complete; works in formal replies too.
definitely
Stresses firmness or lack of doubt rather than obviousness.
sure
Another informal assurance, especially when agreeing to a request.