absolute

adjective

1
a
: free from imperfection : perfect
… it is a most absolute and excellent horse. William Shakespeare
b
: free or relatively free from mixture : pure
absolute alcohol
c
: outright, unmitigated
an absolute lie
2
: being, governed by, or characteristic of a ruler or authority completely free from constitutional or other restraint
absolute power
3
: having no restriction, exception, or qualification
an absolute requirement
absolute freedom
4
: positive, unquestionable
absolute proof
5
a
: independent of arbitrary standards of measurement
b
: relating to or derived in the simplest manner from the fundamental units of length, mass, and time
absolute electric units
c
: relating to, measured on, or being a temperature scale based on absolute zero
absolute temperature
specifically : kelvin
10° absolute
6
: fundamental, ultimate
absolute knowledge
7
: perfectly embodying the nature of a thing
absolute justice
8
grammar
a
: standing apart from a normal or usual syntactical relation with other words or sentence elements
the absolute construction this being the case in the sentence "this being the case, let us go"
b
of an adjective or possessive pronoun : standing alone without a modified substantive
Blind in "help the blind" and ours in "your work and ours" are absolute.
c
of a verb : having no object in the particular construction under consideration though normally transitive
Kill in "if looks could kill" is an absolute verb.
9
: being self-sufficient and free of external references or relationships
an absolute term in logic
absolute music
10
: being the true distance from an aircraft to the earth's surface
absolute altitude
absolute noun
absoluteness noun

Example Sentences

You can't predict the future with absolute certainty. I have absolute faith 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. The country is ruled by an absolute dictator. The country is an absolute monarchy. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The Dyson Airwrap Styler is an absolute game-changer, having won Best of Beauty Awards two years in a row (Breakthrough in 2019 and Splurge in 2020). Sarah Han And Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 28 Nov. 2022 This is our absolute favorite robot vacuum if money is no object. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022 Gene Hackman was at the absolute peak of his powers at this point. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 28 Nov. 2022 Nordstrom is one of our absolute must-shop stops for Cyber Monday. Sarah Madaus, SELF, 28 Nov. 2022 This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 26 Nov. 2022 This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. Samara Lynn, ABC News, 26 Nov. 2022 This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. Camille C. Knox, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2022 This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 26 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'absolute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English absolut, borrowed from Latin absolūtus, from past participle of absolvere "to set free, acquit, finish, complete" — more at absolve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of absolute was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near absolute

Cite this Entry

“Absolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absolute. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

Kids Definition

absolute

adjective
1
a
: free from imperfection : perfect
b
: free or nearly free from mixture : pure
absolute alcohol
2
: free from restraint or limitation
absolute power
an absolute monarch
3
: having no exceptions
an absolute requirement
absolute freedom
4
: free from doubt : certain
absolute proof
5
a
: independent of standards of measurement that reflect individual choice : actual
absolute brightness of a star
absolute motion
b
: relating to or coming from the basic units of length, mass, and time
absolute electric units
c
: relating to the absolute-temperature scale
10° absolute
absoluteness
-ˌlüt-nəs
-ˈlüt-
noun

Medical Definition

absolute

adjective
ab·​so·​lute ˌab-sə-ˈlüt How to pronounce absolute (audio)
1
: pure or relatively free from mixture
absolute methanol
2
: relating to, measured on, or being a temperature scale based on absolute zero
absolute temperature

Legal Definition

absolute

adjective
ab·​so·​lute
1
a
: free from qualification, condition, exception, or restriction
rights that even seem absolute have these qualifications Long v. Rockwood, 277 U.S. 142 (1928)
see also absolute ownership at ownership compare qualified
b
in the civil law of Louisiana : having or allowing no legal effect
an absolute impediment
2
: final and not liable to modification
sometimes used after the word it modifies
divorce absolute
compare nisi
absolutely adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on absolute

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