absolute

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈæb.səˌlut/ UK /ˈæb.sə.luːt/ See IPA manual

Freq #3563

Meanings

1

adj
complete and total

I have absolute trust in my best friend.
2

adj
not limited by any rules, conditions, or other people

The king had absolute power over his subjects.
3

adj
certain and definite, with no possibility of doubt

There is no absolute proof that he was there.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · complete and total complete total utter

2 adj · not limited by any rules,... unconditional unlimited

3 adj · certain and definite, with... certain definite

More autocratic categorical despotic living standards unrestricted

Opposites

conditional limited

Word family

Forms absolutenessabsolutes

Derived forms absolutiseabsolutism absolutistabsolutisticnonabsolutesubabsolutesuperabsoluteunabsolute

Related forms absolutenessabsolutionabsolutizationabsolutize

Appears in

Phrases (5)

See all

absolute mess
Complete and unqualified disorder with no redeeming order

Adjective + noun
absolute magnitude
a measure of how bright a star would appear from a standard distance of ten parsecs

Adjective + noun
absolute monarch
a ruler whose governing power is not limited by a constitution or parliament

Adjective + noun
absolute guarantee
a firm assurance that leaves no room for exceptions or doubt

Adjective + noun
absolute loyalty
complete and unwavering support for a person or cause

Adjective + noun

Proverbs (1)

See all

Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely

Etymology

First attested around 1380. From Middle English absolut, from Middle French absolut, from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional; unfettered; completed”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, set free, complete”), from ab (“away”) + solvo (“to loose”). Influenced in part by Old French absolu. Compare absolve.

*lewh₃- Proto-Indo-European absolut Middle English absolūtus Latin absolu Old French

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# absolute

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈæb.səˌlut/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈæb.sə.luːt/
**Frequency rank:** 3563

## Meanings
1. complete and total
2. not limited by any rules, conditions, or other people
3. certain and definite, with no possibility of doubt

## Examples
- I have absolute trust in my best friend.
- The king had absolute power over his subjects.
- There is no absolute proof that he was there.

## Synonyms
- autocratic
- categorical
- despotic
- living
- standards
- unconditional
- unlimited
- unrestricted

## Antonyms
- conditional
- limited

## Derived Forms
- absolutise
- absolutism
- absolutist
- absolutistic
- nonabsolute
- subabsolute
- superabsolute
- unabsolute

## Related Forms
- absoluteness
- absolution
- absolutization
- absolutize

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *lewh₃-
- Root: absolut
- Root: absolūtus
- Root: absolu

## Etymology
First attested around 1380. From Middle English absolut, from Middle French absolut, from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional; unfettered; completed”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, set free, complete”), from ab (“away”) + solvo (“to loose”). Influenced in part by Old French absolu. Compare absolve.

## AI Etymology
Absolute is first attested around 1380. It comes from Middle English absolut, from Middle French absolut, from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional; unfettered; completed”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, set free, complete”), from ab (“away”) plus solvo (“to loose”). Influenced in part by Old French absolu. Compare absolve. The historical line also includes Proto-Indo-European *lewh₃-.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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