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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.

"We are absolutely glad we opened up and wouldn't change it."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

This stuff is all absolutely appalling, and it is an unqualified good that she’ll be out the door.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

It’s just days before the wedding, and as the caterer gently pleads, a “yes” has to be absolutely final this time around.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

The scheme was exposed when 10 residents whose identities were used on these emails said they absolutely did not send them, calling the messages “forged.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

“Is this about joining the chevra? Because I’ve already told them a thousand times that even if I wanted to do it, which I don’t, Rabbi Pardo absolutely doesn’t want me there.”

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

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.