Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adverb Without qualification or restriction; completely.
  • adverb Used as an intensive.
  • adverb As you say. Used to indicate agreement.
  • adverb In a manner that does not take an object.
  • adverb In an absolute relationship.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Completely; wholly; independently; without restriction, limitation, or qualification; unconditionally; positively; peremptorily.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb grammar In a manner that does not take an object.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb totally and definitely; without question
  • adverb completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

Etymologies

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Examples

  • VIEW FAVORITES yahooBuzzArticleHeadline = 'Hinchey calls Blue Dog behavior "absolutely shameful"'; yahooBuzzArticleSummary = 'Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N. Y.) issued a stern rebuke to a group of fellow House Democrats on Thursday, saying that the behavior of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog coalition was “absolutely shameful, ” after the group revolted on Wednesday over the cost of veterans’ educations benefits in a war funding measure, delaying consideration of the $183 billion supplemental spending bill.'

    OpEdNews - Quicklink: Hinchey calls Blue Dog behavior "absolutely shameful" 2008

  • It is, we think, impossible to compare the sentence which prohibits a State from laying “imposts, or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws, ” with that which authorizes Congress “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution” the powers of the general government, without feeling a conviction that the convention understood itself to change materially the meaning of the word “necessary, ” by prefixing the word “absolutely.

    Opinion of Chief Justice Marshall, in the Case of McCulloch vs. the State of Maryland 1909

  • _substantially_ correct, she neither declared nor implied that they were not taught in a manner absolutely correct, but ... as all who believe that they are set forth in a manner _absolutely correct_, believe, necessarily, that they are taught in a manner _substantially_ correct; for that which is absolute embraces that which is substantial and something more; she simply makes an affirmation, so far as two classes

    American Lutheranism Volume 2: The United Lutheran Church (General Synod, General Council, United Synod in the South) 1894

  • But alas, Sudi Pigott got her title absolutely right, "How To Be a Better Foodie; A Bulging Little Book for the Truly Epicurious" is filled to the brim with facts and foodie-essentials which make anyone who is interested in culinary particulars marvel at the amount of text in this book!

    How to be a Better Foodie; A Bulging Little Book for the Truly Epicurious by Sudi Pigott Wendy 2008

  • But alas, Sudi Pigott got her title absolutely right, "How To Be a Better Foodie; A Bulging Little Book for the Truly Epicurious" is filled to the brim with facts and foodie-essentials which make anyone who is interested in culinary particulars marvel at the amount of text in this book!

    Archive 2008-09-01 Wendy 2008

  • Another gap followed during the troublous reign of Richard III., but by the end of the fifteenth century, when Henry VII. felt his title absolutely secure, and his dynasty established, the west end was quite finished, within and without, while then, and then only, the last remains of the old nave were cleared away.

    Westminster Abbey A. Murray Smith 1877

  • It's what the phrase 'absolutely blooming monster' was invented for.

    BBC News - Home 2011

  • Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he was "totally outraged by these incidents," which he called "absolutely unacceptable."

    FAA Adds Staff to Towers After Dozing by Controllers Andy Pasztor 2011

  • This absolutely is about women letting the media affect their view of themselves.

    Good 'Hair?' Hardly. How Chris Rock gets it wrong | EW.com 2009

  • Mr. Ive said he was "humbled" by what he called an "absolutely thrilling" honor.

    Apple Lead Designer Knighted Don Clark 2011

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