absolute

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Complete and total, with no limit, doubt, exception, or qualification.

   Grammar: Often before a noun: absolute silence; can be predicative: The silence was absolute.

   Patterns

   • absolute silence
   • absolute power
   • absolute nonsense
   • be absolute

   There was absolute silence during the exam.

   The decision gave the manager absolute control over the schedule.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Known for sure; certain and not able to be seriously disputed.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun: absolute proof, not usually *very absolute*.

   Patterns

   • absolute proof
   • absolute certainty
   • absolute evidence

   The police need absolute proof before making an arrest.

   It is not absolute certainty, but the result looks very likely.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nounphysicsmathematics

   Measured from a fixed zero point or considered without dependence on surrounding conditions.

   Grammar: Technical use before nouns: absolute temperature, absolute pressure; not for everyday opinions.

   Patterns

   • absolute temperature
   • absolute pressure
   • absolute zero

   Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature.

   The gauge shows pressure relative to the air, not absolute pressure.

4. 4adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   Describing an adjective that is not normally compared or graded because its meaning is already complete.

   Grammar: Grammar term before noun: an absolute adjective; many people avoid saying *very unique*.

   Patterns

   • absolute adjective
   • absolute meaning

   Some grammar books call unique an absolute adjective.

   In careful writing, perfect is often treated as absolute.

Common combinations

absolute silence

Absolute silence fell when the lights went out.

absolute truth

She wanted the absolute truth, not a polite version.

absolute power

Absolute power can remove ordinary checks and balances.

absolute nonsense

The claim that the earth is flat is absolute nonsense.

absolute beginner

The class is designed for absolute beginners.

Synonyms and how they differ

total

Total can suggest the whole amount of something; absolute stresses that nothing is excepted or limited.

complete

Complete means having all parts; absolute is stronger and denies any limit, doubt, or mixture.

utter

Utter also intensifies a noun and is often more emphatic or disapproving, as in utter failure.

sheer

Sheer emphasizes surprising size or degree; absolute emphasizes no exception or qualification.

Opposites

Word family

absolutely adverb

Completely or certainly; also used as an emphatic yes.

absoluteness noun

The quality of being total or without limits; fairly formal.

absolutism noun

A political system or belief in rule without effective limits.

absolutist noun

A person who supports absolute rule or rejects compromise.

Commonly confused: absolute or absolve?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “absolute”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words