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.
"If you're in that position of being a minority government, transactional relationships and goodwill between the parties is absolutely fundamental."
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
You’ve clearly already put a lot of thought into it, what with accumulating so much in your numerous retirement accounts and signing up for long-term-care insurance, so you’re absolutely on the right track.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
"It was absolutely heart-wrenching. I had not witnessed such devastation before."
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
“To know that my book has gone into the hands of young children across the U.K. is absolutely incredible,” she told The Times.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
“If you say so,” offered Major Puff, having absolutely no idea what she was talking about.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
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.
