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.
“Unless the data puts him in a corner where he absolutely has no choice but to hike, he will find a way not to hike,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Connor replied: "No, I absolutely accept that for patients some information here will have been lost and that is not acceptable."
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
"It should absolutely send alarm bells ringing, as these hotter summers lead to increased heat stress, higher energy demand for cooling, and strain on infrastructure and public health systems."
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
What’s absolutely fascinating, and totally on-brand, is how Marsh contradicts, criticizes and updates himself between the various books.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
It was a curious feeling, to carry on with absolutely no concern for other people.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
