absolutely

absolutely
absolutely
This word has a string of important meanings in the broad area ‘in an absolute position, manner, or degree’, and can be applied to many domains of physical and conceptual activity including language and politics. It has also come to be used as a mere intensive comparable to completely or utterly, even in non-gradable contexts (absolutely awful, absolutely delightful, absolutely essential, absolutely necessary, absolutely nothing, absolutely out of the question). In conversation, absolutely is used ‘absolutely’ (i.e. without a grammatical complement) as a strong affirmative reply:

• ‘Think you can do that?’‘Absolutely!’Dusty replied turning to her computer —Kristin Goode, 2003 [OEC].

With no and not, it is often used in speech as an emphatic refusal or denial:

• ‘Because your mother insisted.’ ‘Absolutely not.’ —B. Neil, 1993.

• There's absolutely no point in saving for a pension on my current wages —BBC News, 2004 [OEC].


Modern English usage. 2014.

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  • Absolutely — may refer to: * Absolutely (1980), album by Madness * Absolutely (1990), album by Rik Emmett * Absolutely (2006), album by Sister Hazel * Absolutely , British television comedy …   Wikipedia

  • Absolutely — Álbum de Madness Publicación Septiembre de 1980 Grabación 1980 Género(s) Ska, pop Duración 3 …   Wikipedia Español

  • absolutely — [adv1] certainly, without question actually, categorically, come hell or high water*, conclusively, decidedly, decisively, definitely, doubtless, easily, exactly, for sure*, no ifs ands or buts*, no strings attached*, on the button*, on the… …   New thesaurus

  • Absolutely — Ab so*lute*ly, adv. In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • absolutely — index de facto, fairly (clearly), faithfully, in toto, ipso facto, purely (positively) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Bu …   Law dictionary

  • absolutely — (adv.) late 14c., unconditionally, completely, from ABSOLUTE (Cf. absolute) (adj.) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). From mid 15c. as without reference to anything else, not relatively; meaning to the utmost degree emerged by mid 16c. As a colloquial emphatic… …   Etymology dictionary

  • absolutely — ► ADVERB 1) with no qualification, restriction, or limitation. 2) used for emphasis or to express agreement. 3) not viewed in relation to other things or factors …   English terms dictionary

  • absolutely — [ab′sə lo͞ot΄lē, ab΄sə lo͞ot′lē] adv. completely or unconditionally interj. yes: used for emphasis …   English World dictionary

  • absolutely — adverb 1 especially spoken completely and in every way: He s an absolutely brilliant singer. | You can trust her absolutely! | You look absolutely fantastic in that dress. | absolutely no/nothing (=none or nothing at all): He has absolutely no… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • absolutely — ab|so|lute|ly W3S1 [ˈæbsəlu:tli, ˌæbsəˈlu:tli] adv 1.) completely and in every way ▪ He made his reasons for resigning absolutely clear. ▪ Are you absolutely sure? ▪ This cake is absolutely delicious. 2.) used to emphasize something ▪ The… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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