absolutely
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From absolute + -ly, from Middle English.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (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)
Adverb[edit]
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 notes[edit]
- 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.
Synonyms[edit]
- (in an absolute or unconditional manner): See also Thesaurus:completely
- (viewed without relation to other things): See also Thesaurus:individually
Translations[edit]
in an absolute manner
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independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors
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in a manner that does not take an object
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Interjection[edit]
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 notes[edit]
- 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 terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
yes; certainly
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See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 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.
Categories:
- English words suffixed with -ly
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English 4-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English adverbs
- English uncomparable adverbs
- en:Grammar
- English interjections
- English terms with usage examples
- English degree adverbs