Absolutely Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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absolutely

[ˈæbsəluːtli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

use

used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested.

Synonyms

completely, entirely, fully, totally, utterly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
absolutely

Use when you want to emphasize something strongly, often in response to a question or statement.

  • Are you sure? Absolutely!
  • That's absolutely amazing!
completely

Best used when something is whole or finished in its entirety.

  • The project is completely done.
  • He is completely unaware of the situation.
totally

Informal, often used in casual conversation to emphasize the whole extent of something.

  • I totally agree with you.
  • She was totally surprised by the gift.
utterly

Used for strong emphasis, usually in a negative context or to show extreme conditions.

  • The plan was utterly unsuccessful.
  • He felt utterly defeated.
entirely

Emphasizes that something includes all parts or aspects, often used in formal contexts.

  • I am not entirely sure about that.
  • The decision was entirely his.
fully

Used to indicate that something is done to the fullest extent or completeness.

  • He fully understands the consequences.
  • The tank is fully loaded.

Examples of usage

  • Absolutely, I'll be there on time.
  • I absolutely agree with you.
  • She is absolutely stunning.
  • We are absolutely sure about our decision.
  • He absolutely deserves this award.
Context #2 | Adverb

degree

used to express the highest or a very high degree of a quality.

Synonyms

exceptionally, extremely, incredibly, remarkably, very.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
absolutely

Used to stress strong agreement, certainty, or completeness; often in conversations or persuasive writing.

  • Are you sure about this? Absolutely!
  • The food was absolutely delicious.
extremely

Used to express a very high degree of something; commonly used in both written and spoken language.

  • He was extremely tired after the marathon.
  • Her performance was extremely impressive.
incredibly

Used to express amazement or a very high degree of something; often used informally.

  • The movie was incredibly exciting!
  • She did an incredibly good job on the project.
exceptionally

Used to indicate something that is unusually good or remarkable; often in formal or written language.

  • She is an exceptionally talented musician.
  • The weather has been exceptionally good this summer.
very

Used to emphasize the extreme degree of an adjective or adverb; common in both formal and informal language.

  • She is very nice.
  • I'm very happy with the results.
remarkably

Used to highlight something that is worthy of notice due to its unusualness or impressiveness; often more formal.

  • It is remarkably quiet in the library today.
  • He recovered from the illness remarkably quickly.

Examples of usage

  • She is absolutely gorgeous.
  • He was absolutely thrilled with the result.
  • The food was absolutely delicious.
  • It was absolutely freezing outside.
  • I am absolutely exhausted.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • In philosophy, 'absolute truth' refers to an unquestionable reality, something that is true regardless of context or perspective.
  • Philosophers like Kant and Hegel have discussed concepts of the absolute as foundational truths that underlie reality.
  • The idea of absoluteness can contrast with relativism, which suggests that truth can vary based on situation or perception.

Pop Culture

  • In popular music, the phrase 'absolutely' often appears in songs to emphasize strong feelings or commitments.
  • Classic films and books frequently use 'absolutely' to convey definitive actions or feelings, adding emotional weight to dialogues.
  • 'Absolutely Fabulous', a British sitcom, played with the idea of excessive lifestyles, using the term to reflect characters' extreme sentiments.

Science

  • In physics, the term 'absolute' is used to describe measurements that are not relative to other conditions, like 'absolute temperature'.
  • Absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature, is a theoretical state where molecular motion stops completely.
  • Absolute humidity measures the total amount of water vapor in the air, without considering temperature or pressure.

Language

  • In language, the use of 'absolutely' can add emphasis and confirm strong agreement, making conversations more persuasive.
  • Different cultures might use similar strong affirmations, but the intensity and context can vary, reflecting unique linguistic styles.
  • Royalty and formal speeches often employ 'absolutely' to assert authority and clarity, showing it as a hallmark of serious discourse.

Origin of 'absolutely'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'absolutely' comes from the Latin root 'absolutus', which means 'unloosened' or 'set free'.
  • It evolved through Old French as 'absolut' before entering the English language around the 15th century.
  • Originally, it was often used in philosophical contexts to discuss concepts that exist without dependence on anything else.

The word 'absolutely' originated from the Latin word 'absolutus', which means 'freed, unrestricted'. It first appeared in English in the 15th century and has since been used to emphasize certainty, agreement, or degree. Over time, 'absolutely' has become a common adverb in everyday language, adding emphasis and clarity to statements.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,300, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.