absolutely
Americanadverb
-
without exception; completely; wholly; entirely.
You are absolutely right.
- Synonyms:
- unqualifiedly, totally
-
without doubt or reservation; positively; certainly.
I'll absolutely support your candidacy.
- Synonyms:
- definitely, unequivocally, unquestionably
-
(of a transitive verb) without an object.
interjection
adverb
Etymology
Origin of absolutely
Explanation
When something is absolute, it's total and complete. When something is absolutely the case, it's going to be that way — no ifs, ands, or buts. When you want to be certain that there is no doubt about what you mean, then you say that it's absolutely that way. For example, there is absolutely nothing you can do that will make George Clooney invite you to his house on Lake Como. The moon is absolutely not made of green cheese. When I said that I would absolutely not go to that wedding, I wasn't kidding, and I didn't go. Absolutely can also be an interjection, a statement of emotion, as in, "Am I sure I'm up to it? Absolutely!"
Vocabulary lists containing absolutely
Because of Winn-Dixie
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"Charlotte's Web": Chapter One
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List 7
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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.
“They are absolutely in the moment. I don’t think they consider that anyone could be looking at them.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
There’s community here, across the dedicated regulars and the staff — Gamble’s an incredible singer, and bartender Megha Wescombe absolutely crushes “Maybe This Time” from “Cabaret.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
But, with modern agronomy and irrigation, the Old Course absolutely has been touched by time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
Musicologist Anna-Kaisa Kaila thinks "there absolutely is potential for bias" with AI-generative playlist technology.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
Make sure Boat Boy has absolutely zero interest in her.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
