Word
absolutely
Phoneticsab·so·lute·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌæbsəˈɫutɫi/
UK/ˌæbsəlˈuːtli/
Adverb of degree
Definitions
01completely
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.
“I was absolutely exhausted after the long flight from London.”
“The witness was absolutely certain about the sequence of events, refusing to let the lawyer's questioning shake her confidence.”
Synonyms
02extremely
B1 · Intermediate Informal
adv. very much. You use this to make a feeling or quality stronger.
adv. used as an intensive to emphasize a statement or feeling.
“It is absolutely freezing outside today, so wear a heavy coat.”
“The performance was absolutely brilliant, capturing the audience's attention from the very first note until the final curtain call.”
03strong agreement
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.
“"Do you think we should leave now?" "Absolutely."”
“"Do you agree that the current strategy is unsustainable?" "Absolutely; we need to pivot immediately to remain competitive."”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “absolutely” in context.
Verb
01. absolutely agree
“I absolutely agree with your suggestion to improve the office layout.”
adv + verb
02. absolutely love
“I absolutely love this new song; I have been listening to it all day.”
adv + verb
Adjective
03. absolutely delicious
“The chocolate cake you made for the party was absolutely delicious!”
adv + adj
04. absolutely essential
“It is absolutely essential to bring your passport to the airport.”
adv + adj
05. absolutely exhausted
“After running the marathon, she felt absolutely exhausted.”
adv + adj
06. absolutely freezing
“Wear a warm coat because it is absolutely freezing outside today.”
adv + adj
07. absolutely right
“You are absolutely right about the time of the meeting; it starts at ten.”
adv + adj
08. absolutely sure
“Are you absolutely sure that you locked the front door before we left?”
adv + adj
09. absolutely necessary
10. absolutely nothing
11. absolutely error
12. absolutely nature
Usage
Typically modifies non-gradable adjectives (e.g., 'perfect', 'impossible') rather than gradable ones (e.g., 'big', 'tired').
Pitfall
It is absolutely hot today
It is very hot today
Absolutely is usually paired with 'extreme' or non-gradable adjectives like 'boiling'; for standard gradable adjectives like 'hot', use 'very'.
Etymology
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.
Word family
ADVERB
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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