First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
absolute
adjective ab·so·lute \ˈab-sə-ˌlüt, ˌab-sə-ˈ\
: complete and total
: not limited in any way
: having unlimited power
Full Definition of ABSOLUTE
1
a : free from imperfection : perfect <it is a most absolute and excellent horse — 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
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>
4
: having no restriction, exception, or qualification <an absolute requirement> <absolute freedom>
5
: positive, unquestionable <absolute proof>
6
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>
7
: fundamental, ultimate <absolute knowledge>
8
: perfectly embodying the nature of a thing <absolute justice>
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
— ab·so·lute·ness noun
See absolute defined for English-language learners
See absolute defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ABSOLUTE
Middle English absolut, from Anglo-French, from Latin absolutus, from past participle of absolvere to set free, absolve
Related to ABSOLUTE
- Synonyms
- arbitrary, autocratic (also autocratical), czarist (also tsarist or tzarist), despotic, dictatorial, monocratic, tyrannical (also tyrannic), tyrannous
- Antonyms
- limited
Rhymes with ABSOLUTE
Aleut, arrowroot, Asyût, attribute, autoroute, bandicoot, bathing suit, birthday suit, bitterroot, bodysuit, boilersuit, bumbershoot, business suit, comminute, constitute, contribute, convolute, destitute, disrepute, dissolute, execute, follow suit, gingerroot, hot pursuit, institute, involute, kiwifruit, leisure suit, malamute, overshoot, parachute, passion fruit, persecute, point-and-shoot, prosecute, prostitute, qiviut, resolute, restitute, revolute, run-and-shoot, rural route, subacute, substitute, troubleshoot, undershoot
ABSOLUTE Defined for Kids
absolute
adjective ab·so·lute \ˈab-sə-ˌlüt\
Definition of ABSOLUTE for Kids
2
: not limited in any way <absolute power>
Medical Dictionary
absolute
adjective ab·so·lute \ˌab-sə-ˈlüt\
Medical Definition of ABSOLUTE
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>
Learn More About ABSOLUTE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: absolute altimeterPrevious Word in the Dictionary: absit omenAll Words Near: absolute
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up absolute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).