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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.

“So all of us were covered in this substance and we were absolutely filthy!”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“The routine areas are absolutely where we see the opportunity to increase a different amount of technology and automation,” said Richard Jackson, EY’s global and Americas assurance AI leader.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“If you try to carry out dominance to mean exclusion of others, that is absolutely unlawful under international law.”

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

"It was absolutely incredible. And I think everyone is sort of at a loss for words," she recalled.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

“But yeah, I absolutely made sure he got some proof.”

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

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.