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.

The first rule in a simulation was not to talk to anyone unless it was absolutely necessary.

From Literature

Afterwards, the surgeon admitted he did find endometriosis, but claimed it was "only a small patch" that had been removed and she would be "absolutely fine" now.

From BBC

“Maggie has absolutely been instrumental to waking me up to a part of myself I needed to know — and I think vice versa. We share a similar language and curiosity.”

From Los Angeles Times

"We absolutely know it is not going to be any easy road," she said.

From BBC

“There is absolutely no truth to any of the allegations against Mr. Black,” Susan Estrich, an attorney for Black, said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.