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

Examples of absolute in a Sentence

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 Working with Anil Kapoor was an absolute delight and a tremendous learning experience. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023 These include city dwellers for whom a warm, water-resistant boot is sufficient for getting quickly from point A to point B, or anyone for whom breathability and lightness is an absolute priority (see below). Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023 Today’s report is a stern warning that COP doesn’t just need to result in more ambition, but an absolute realignment of our civilization’s climate trajectory. Matt Simon, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2023 However, when approached as the product of a tape-label basement jazz group or a subterranean electronic ensemble, New Blue Sun is an absolute joy. Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2023 My reaction to Elon Musk's post was absolute abhorrence. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023 The kit is for absolute beginners and comes with a variety of yarns and needles to make small crochet projects like a handbag, coaster, placemat, or belt. Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023 For a bit of context, this car previously beat a McLaren 720S drag racing on Season 2 of Netflix’s Fastest Car, so my impressions of absolute insane acceleration should not be considered exaggeration. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 17 Nov. 2023 But this was no ride-along, as I was allowed to do the driving myself—at absolute breakneck pace—in a stock RZR Pro R side-by-side. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 15 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absolute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 6 Dec. 2023.

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 qualificationsLong 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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