Absolutely Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms absolutely American [ab-suh-loot-lee, ab-suh-loot-] / ˌæb səˈlut li, ˈæb səˌlut- /

adverb

1. without exception; completely; wholly; entirely.

   You are absolutely right.

   Synonyms: unqualifiedly, totally

2. without doubt or reservation; positively; certainly.

   I'll absolutely support your candidacy.

   Synonyms: definitely, unequivocally, unquestionably

3. (of a transitive verb) without an object.

interjection

1. (used emphatically to express complete agreement or unqualified assent).

   Do you think it will work? Absolutely!

absolutely British / ˌæbsəˈluːtlɪ /

adverb

1. in an absolute manner, esp completely or perfectly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

1. yes; certainly; unquestionably

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of absolutely

First recorded in 1525–35; absolute + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"My friend was shouting and screaming - an absolutely horrific experience, not just for me."

From BBC

"Grabham's behaviour in court never changed. He showed absolutely no emotion. Nothing flickered across his face."

From BBC

Man-for-man they won most of their battles and absolutely dominated the scrum.

From BBC

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said fraud was absolutely something she was concerned about when she was in government, but that getting money to people who needed it was something she was proud of.

From BBC

And one thing that Ilia will absolutely do, aside from everything he’ll do that’s amazing and incredible and groundbreaking technically, he’s going to put on an amazing performance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• actually
• categorically
• definitely
• doubtless
• exactly
• positively
• precisely
• really
• surely
• truly
• unconditionally
• unquestionably

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.