absolutely
English
Etymology
absolute + -ly, from Middle English.
Pronunciation
Adverb
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
- Absolutely is not to be confused with intensives such as very or indeed, as it is an unconditional term.
Synonyms
- (in an absolute or unconditional manner): See also Thesaurus:completely
- (viewed without relation to other things): See also Thesaurus:individually
Translations
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
absolutely
Usage notes
- 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.
Translations
yes; certainly
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See also
References
- ↑ 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 terms 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 degree adverbs