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.
And the legislative history shows beyond any real doubt that Congress absolutely intended to create a private right to sue under this statute.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
If you absolutely need your car to get to the service station, it’ll cost you about $55 plus fees for parking at the North Hollywood Station and the Pierce College Station.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
“They’re the only ones here locally. We’re gonna do this in-house. I think there needs to be somewhere we can just say come in and out. They’re absolutely incredible.”
From Salon • Jun. 11, 2026
She said some of these nurses were from overseas and were "absolutely petrified".
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
It was kind of a no-brainer—Jonah was absolutely certain that those two weren’t on the same side.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
