absolutely
adverb
ab·so·lute·ly
ˈab-sə-ˌlüt-lē 
ˌab-sə-ˈlüt-
1
: in an absolute manner: such as
a
: completely or totally
absolutely certain
an absolutely clear explanation
—often used as an intensivean absolutely brilliant performance
an absolutely awful experience
You're absolutely right.
b
: with unlimited power
ruling absolutely
2
a
—used in speech as a forceful way of saying "yes" or of expressing agreement
"Would you like to see a movie tonight?" "Absolutely!"
"We all need to work harder." "Absolutely!"
b
—used in speech in the phrase absolutely not as a forceful way of saying "no" or of expressing disagreement
"Do you think he's right?" "Absolutely not!"
3
mathematics
: with respect to absolute values
an absolutely convergent series
Examples of absolutely in a Sentence
He is absolutely certain who will win.
Let me make one thing absolutely clear.
Keep absolutely quiet during the movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is a threat to condition military assistance to Israel based on absolutely no evidence and grounded in a ridiculous and unachievable standard of conduct.
—
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 6 Apr. 2024
Kurt was leaning on his arms against the roof ledge, absolutely still, staring out across Seattle.
—Bob Guccione Jr., SPIN, 5 Apr. 2024
There is, of course, absolutely no evidence to back up any of the conspiracies being outlined by these individuals and groups.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
But Johnson knows his role right now, and is absolutely killing it.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Their numbers are absolutely crazy, horses everywhere, their breeding is thriving.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
But readers need not have read the first novel to become absolutely engaged with this one.
—Joan Gaylord, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024
Keke Palmer absolutely nailed the curly bangs-to-glasses ratio with her latest Password host glam.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 4 Apr. 2024
Music is a great way to teach children about the important things in life — love and loss, hope and sadness, the power of people, and absolutely debilitating, destructive self-loathing and masochism.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 6 Apr. 2024
Kurt was leaning on his arms against the roof ledge, absolutely still, staring out across Seattle.
—Bob Guccione Jr., SPIN, 5 Apr. 2024
There is, of course, absolutely no evidence to back up any of the conspiracies being outlined by these individuals and groups.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024
But Johnson knows his role right now, and is absolutely killing it.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024
Their numbers are absolutely crazy, horses everywhere, their breeding is thriving.
—John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
But readers need not have read the first novel to become absolutely engaged with this one.
—Joan Gaylord, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024
Keke Palmer absolutely nailed the curly bangs-to-glasses ratio with her latest Password host glam.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 4 Apr. 2024
Music is a great way to teach children about the important things in life — love and loss, hope and sadness, the power of people, and absolutely debilitating, destructive self-loathing and masochism.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absolutely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near absolutely
Cite this Entry
“Absolutely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absolutely. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
absolutely
adverb
ab·so·lute·ly
ˈab-sə-ˌlüt-lē
ˌab-sə-ˈlüt-
: in an absolute way : completely or definitely
you are absolutely right
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