absolute
AB-suh-loot
Absolute (adj) means Complete and total, with no exceptions or limits. Example: “The dictator held absolute power over the country.”
adj
1
Complete and total, with no exceptions or limits.
"The dictator held absolute power over the country."
"There is absolute proof that the theory is correct."
"I have absolute confidence that you will do well in the interview."
2
Measured independently, without reference to anything else for comparison.
"Absolute zero is the coldest temperature theoretically possible."
"The absolute brightness of a star does not depend on how far away it is."
"In absolute terms the town is small, but it is large for this region."
noun
1
Something that exists as a fixed, unconditional truth or standard.
"Philosophers have long debated whether moral absolutes exist."
"In politics, he said, there are few absolutes and plenty of compromises."
"She refuses to deal in absolutes and prefers to weigh each case carefully."
How to use absolute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTotal, complete, with no conditions attached — or, in science, a measurement that stands alone rather than being relative to something else.
Common pairings
absolute power
absolute zero
absolute nonsense
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Word forms
- Plural
- absolutes
- Comparative
- more absolute, absoluter
- Superlative
- most absolute, absolutest
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The dictator held _____ power over the country.
Etymology
From Latin absolutus, "unrestricted" or "complete," the past participle of absolvo, "to set free" — the same root as "absolve."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
relative
conditional
limited
antonym(s) of “independent of references
relations to other things
standards”
Related words
Rhymes for absolute
See all rhymes for absolute →Frequently asked questions
What does “absolute” mean?
The word “absolute” means complete and total, with no exceptions or limits. In plain terms, total, complete, with no conditions attached — or, in science, a measurement that stands alone rather than being relative to something else.
How do you pronounce “absolute”?
“Absolute” is pronounced AB-suh-loot (/ˈæb.səˌlut/ in IPA).
How do you use “absolute” in a sentence?
Here is “absolute” used in a sentence: “The dictator held absolute power over the country.”
What is another word for “absolute”?
Words with a similar meaning to “absolute” include categorical, unconditional, unlimited, unrestricted, autocratic and despotic.
What is the opposite of “absolute”?
The opposite of “absolute” — its antonyms — are conditional, limited, antonym(s) of “independent of references, relations to other things and standards”.
What part of speech is “absolute”?
Depending on how it is used, “absolute” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “absolute” come from?
The word “absolute” comes from Latin. From Latin absolutus, "unrestricted" or "complete," the past participle of absolvo, "to set free" — the same root as "absolve.".
Is “absolute” a common word?
“Absolute” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between absolute and relative?
'Absolute' means complete and self-contained, judged on its own with no exceptions — an absolute rule allows none. 'Relative' means judged by comparison with something else, so it shifts with context. Absolute zero is a fixed point, while a 'relatively cold' day is only cold compared with others. The two are direct opposites.
What is an example of absolute used in a sentence?
'Absolute' stresses that something is total and unqualified: 'she has absolute confidence in the plan,' 'the ruler held absolute power,' or 'that is an absolute disgrace.' In each case it means complete and without limit or exception — nothing is partial, conditional, or held back. It adds strong emphasis to the noun it describes.
Is absolute a strong word?
Yes. 'Absolute' is emphatic and admits no degree — something either is absolute or it is not. That makes it powerful for stressing certainty, as in 'absolute proof,' but risky in careful writing, where few things are truly without exception. Softer words such as 'considerable' or 'near-total' are often more accurate and honest.
What is the opposite of absolute?
The main opposites are 'relative,' 'partial,' 'limited,' 'conditional,' and 'qualified.' The best fit depends on the sense: 'relative' opposes absolute values or measurements, while 'limited' or 'conditional' opposes absolute power or an absolute guarantee. Choosing the right antonym means first deciding which shade of 'absolute' you mean.
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