absolutely
EnglishEdit
EtymologyEdit
From absolute + -ly, from Middle English.
PronunciationEdit
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈæb.sə.ˌl(j)uːt.lɪ/, /ˌæb.sə.ˈl(j)uːt.lɪ/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˌæb.sə.ˈlut.li/, /ˈæb.sə.ˌlut.li/
Audio (US) (file)
AdverbEdit
absolutely (not comparable)
- In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
- Independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
- (grammar) In a manner that does not take an object.
Usage notesEdit
- Absolutely is not to be confused with intensives such as very or indeed, as it is an unconditional term, absolutely/*very essential, vital or crucial.
SynonymsEdit
- (in an absolute or unconditional manner): See also Thesaurus:completely
- (viewed without relation to other things): See also Thesaurus:individually
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
in an absolute manner
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independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors
|
in a manner that does not take an object
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InterjectionEdit
absolutely
- Yes; certainly; expression indicating strong agreement. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
- Do you want a free cookie with that coffee?
Absolutely!
Usage notesEdit
- Some commentators, especially in England, criticise the interjectional use as having no useful meaning beyond that of yes;[2] however, this assumes that emphasis is useless, which, pragmatically speaking, it isn’t.
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
yes; certainly
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See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief; William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “absolutely”, in The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 9.
- ^ Christopher Howse; Richard Preston (2007) She Literally Exploded: The Daily Telegraph Infuriating Phrasebook, London: Constable and Robinson, →ISBN, page 3.