absolutely

absolutely — adverb

1. to a total degree, with no part left out — used when you want to stress that wha

1.adverbB1
Definition

to a total degree, with no part left out — used when you want to stress that what you say is fully true.

Example

Wen was absolutely sure she had locked the front door before leaving for work.

absolutely + adjective for emphasising certainty

The judges agreed that the young pianist's performance was absolutely flawless.

Common collocations
  • absolutely sure
  • absolutely necessary
  • absolutely right
  • absolutely refuse
  • trust someone absolutely
Synonyms
  • completely

    neutral and slightly more formal

  • totally

    more informal, very close in meaning

  • utterly

    stronger; usually with negative or extreme qualities

Antonyms
  • partly

    opposite scope — not in full

  • slightly

    weak degree rather than full

Grammar Patterns

absolutely + adjective

absolutely + verb

Usage Note

Often pairs with adjectives or verbs that already carry a clear meaning of truth, certainty, or refusal — adds force rather than meaning. Distinguish from sense 2, which pairs only with already-extreme adjectives like 'amazing' or 'awful'.

Common Mistakes

The soup was absolutely hot.
The soup was absolutely boiling.
with sense 2-style emphasis, use an extreme adjective; with sense 1, prefer 'very hot'.

2. to the highest possible level — placed before words that already describe an ext

2.adverbB1
Definition

to the highest possible level — placed before words that already describe an extreme feeling or quality (such as 'wonderful', 'awful', or 'love'), in places where 'very' would not normally fit.

Example

The view from the top of Yangmingshan was absolutely breathtaking that morning.

absolutely + extreme adjective (breathtaking)

Grandma's homemade dumplings are absolutely delicious, even better than the famous shop downtown.

Common collocations
  • absolutely amazing
  • absolutely fantastic
  • absolutely terrible
  • absolutely love
  • absolutely hate
Synonyms
  • totally

    informal, almost interchangeable in this sense

  • utterly

    often paired with negative extremes (utterly awful)

  • completely

    slightly more neutral, less emotional

Grammar Patterns

absolutely + extreme adjective

absolutely + emotional verb

Usage Note

Pairs with 'ungradable' adjectives (huge, freezing, perfect, awful) and strong emotion verbs (love, hate, adore). Saying 'very perfect' sounds wrong; 'absolutely perfect' is natural. Distinguish from sense 1, which works with ordinary gradable adjectives.

Common Mistakes

The cake was absolutely good.
The cake was absolutely amazing.
pick an adjective that is already extreme, or switch to 'really good'.

3. used on its own, or before a short reply, to mean 'yes, definitely' — a warm and

3.adverbB2
Definition

used on its own, or before a short reply, to mean 'yes, definitely' — a warm and confident way to agree with someone or to grant permission.

Example

"Could you babysit Emma on Friday night?" "Absolutely, I'd love to."

stand-alone reply meaning a strong yes

"Do you think the new policy will help small farmers?" the reporter asked. "Absolutely," the minister replied.

Common collocations
  • Absolutely!
  • Absolutely, yes
  • Oh, absolutely
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

one-word reply: 'Absolutely!'

'Absolutely' + short clause

Usage Note

Almost always spoken; sounds warmer and more enthusiastic than a plain 'yes'. Often the entire reply on its own, sometimes followed by a short justifying clause. Distinguish from sense 4, which uses the same word with 'not' to mean a strong refusal.

Common Mistakes

Are you Japanese?" "Absolutely.
Are you Japanese?" "Yes, I am.
use 'absolutely' for enthusiastic agreement or permission, not for plain factual confirmation.

4. in the phrases 'absolutely not', 'absolutely no', or 'absolutely never' — a firm

4.adverbC2
Definition

in the phrases 'absolutely not', 'absolutely no', or 'absolutely never' — a firm, no-room-for-discussion way to disagree, refuse a request, or deny permission.

Example

"Can I have another cookie before dinner?" Mom shook her head and answered, "Absolutely not."

'Absolutely not' as a refusal of permission

There is absolutely no excuse for hitting a classmate, no matter how angry you feel.

absolutely + no for total denial

Common collocations
  • absolutely not
  • absolutely no
  • absolutely never
  • absolutely forbidden
  • absolutely impossible
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • absolutely

    the same word used alone means a strong yes (sense 3)

Grammar Patterns

'Absolutely not' as a stand-alone reply

Absolutely + no/never/nothing

Usage Note

Frequently appears as the two-word reply 'Absolutely not.' Strong and final — softer alternatives are 'I don't think so' or 'not really'. Distinguish from sense 3 (strong yes) — the meaning flips entirely with 'not', 'no', or 'never'.

Common Mistakes

The shop was absolutely not busy today.
The shop was not busy at all today.
keep 'absolutely not' for firm refusals or denials, not for describing low quantities.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words push a statement toward 100%, but the flavour differs. 'Completely' is the most neutral and works well in both formal writing and everyday speech ('completely empty', 'completely agree'). 'Totally' is its more casual cousin, common in spoken English and often emotional ('I totally get it'). 'Absolutely' adds a layer of personal conviction — the speaker isn't only stating a fact, they're standing behind it, which is why it doubles as a stand-alone 'Absolutely!' reply. 'Utterly' tends to pair with negative or dramatic words ('utterly exhausted', 'utterly destroyed') and rarely shows up in casual praise. Compare: 'I'm completely sure' (calm fact), 'I'm totally sure' (friendly, informal), 'I'm absolutely sure' (firm, no doubt), 'I was utterly defeated' (dramatic, often literary).

absolutely ↗completely ↗totally ↗utterly ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • absolutely sure
  • absolutely necessary
  • absolutely right
  • absolutely amazing
  • absolutely fantastic
  • absolutely not
  • absolutely no idea
  • absolutely nothing

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Built from the adjective 'absolute' plus the adverb-forming ending '-ly'. 'Absolute' itself reaches English in the late 1300s through Old French from Latin 'absolutus', the past participle of 'absolvere' meaning 'to set free' or 'to finish off'. The original idea was something 'set loose' from limits or conditions — hence 'complete in itself'. From there, 'absolutely' carried the sense 'without any limits' into English, and over centuries it shifted from formal philosophical use into everyday speech, where it now also serves as an enthusiastic 'yes'.