ab·so·lute
Pronounced:
/ˈæbsəˌlu:t/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
1 always used before a noun : complete and total ▪ You can't predict the future with absolute certainty. ▪ I have absolute faith/confidence in her ability to get the job done. ▪ He swore an oath of absolute secrecy. ▪ When it comes to using computers, I'm an absolute beginner. —often used informally to make a statement more forceful ▪ I swear that what I'm telling you is the absolute truth. ▪ He was an absolute disgrace to his family. ▪ That's absolute nonsense/rubbish! ▪ (US) That restaurant serves the absolute best Mexican food I've ever eaten. [=that restaurant serves absolutely the best Mexican food I've ever eaten] —sometimes used with the most ▪ That's the most absolute nonsense/rubbish I ever heard!
2 a : not limited in any way ▪ a ruler with absolute power = a ruler whose power is absolute ▪ absolute authority b : having unlimited power ▪ The country is ruled by an absolute dictator/monarch. c : ruled by someone with unlimited power ▪ The country is an absolute monarchy.
3 : not allowing any doubt ▪ He says that he has absolute [=certain] proof that his client is innocent.
4 a : never changing : always true or real ▪ You have the absolute right to remain silent. ▪ an absolute requirement = a requirement that is absolute ▪ absolute [=unqualified] freedom b : not depending on or compared with anything else ▪ The company has grown in absolute terms, but its share of the market is actually less than it was a few years ago.
2 a : not limited in any way ▪ a ruler with absolute power = a ruler whose power is absolute ▪ absolute authority b : having unlimited power ▪ The country is ruled by an absolute dictator/monarch. c : ruled by someone with unlimited power ▪ The country is an absolute monarchy.
3 : not allowing any doubt ▪ He says that he has absolute [=certain] proof that his client is innocent.
4 a : never changing : always true or real ▪ You have the absolute right to remain silent. ▪ an absolute requirement = a requirement that is absolute ▪ absolute [=unqualified] freedom b : not depending on or compared with anything else ▪ The company has grown in absolute terms, but its share of the market is actually less than it was a few years ago.
—ab·so·lute·ness noun [noncount] ▪ the absoluteness of the king's power ▪ the absoluteness of his certainty