absolutely
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adv.completely or totally. You use this to emphasize that something is 100% true.
adv.wholly or entirely; used as an intensifier to indicate the maximum degree of a quality.
Simple“I was absolutely exhausted after the long flight from London.”
In context“The witness was absolutely certain about the sequence of events, refusing to let the lawyer's questioning shake her confidence.”
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
adv.very much. You use this to make a feeling or quality stronger.
adv.used as an intensive to emphasize a statement or feeling.
Simple“It is absolutely freezing outside today, so wear a heavy coat.”
In context“The performance was absolutely brilliant, capturing the audience's attention from the very first note until the final curtain call.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
interj.a way to say 'yes' very strongly when you agree with someone.
interj.an emphatic affirmative used to express total agreement with a previous statement or question.
Simple“"Do you think we should leave now?" "Absolutely."”
In context“"Do you agree that the current strategy is unsustainable?" "Absolutely; we need to pivot immediately to remain competitive."”
Synonyms
Typically modifies non-gradable adjectives (e.g., 'perfect', 'impossible') rather than gradable ones (e.g., 'big', 'tired').
Absolutely is usually paired with 'extreme' or non-gradable adjectives like 'boiling'; for standard gradable adjectives like 'hot', use 'very'.
Usage absolutely necessary · absolutely nothing · absolutely error
From late Middle English absolutly, first attested in 1425. The term is a compound of absolute and the suffix -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.