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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

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!"

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Vocabulary lists containing absolutely

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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.

Absolute power corrupts — absolutely! — in the satirical docuseries “How to Become a Tyrant” narrated by “Game of Thrones’” Peter Dinklage.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2021

“Do I live for this? Yeah, absolutely! It’s what I live and breathe and think and do all the time.”

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2017

"Then, sir," said Bernard, "I trust—" "Trust absolutely!" interrupted quickly the foreign-looking heir.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, July, 1851 by Various

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.