A sick person needs absolute confidence and trust in a doctor.
Synonyms: complete, total, perfect, entire More Synonyms of absolute
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use absolute to emphasize something that you are saying.
[emphasis]
About 12 inches wide is the absolute minimum you should consider.
I think it's absolute nonsense.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
An absolute ruler has complete power and authority over his or her country.
He ruled with absolute power.
...the doctrine of absolute monarchy based upon divine right.
Synonyms: supreme, sovereign, unlimited, ultimate More Synonyms of absolute
4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Absolute is used to say that something is definite and will not change even if circumstances change.
John brought the absolute proof that we needed.
They had given an absolute assurance that it would be kept secret.
Synonyms: definite, sure, certain, positive More Synonyms of absolute
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
An amount that is expressed in absolute terms is expressed as a fixed amount rather than referring to variable factors such as what you earn or the effects of inflation.
In absolute terms British wages remain low by European standards.
6. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Absolute rules and principles are believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations.
There are no absolute rules.
...certain assumptions which are accepted without question as absolute truths.
Synonyms: universal, general, common, total More Synonyms of absolute
7. countable noun
An absolute is a rule or principle that is believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations.
We tend to think in absolutes.
8. See also decree absolute
More Synonyms of absolute
absolute in British English
(ˈæbsəˌluːt)
adjective
1.
complete; perfect
2.
free from limitations, restrictions, or exceptions; unqualified
an absolute choice
3.
having unlimited authority; despotic
an absolute ruler
4.
undoubted; certain
the absolute truth
5.
not dependent on, conditioned by, or relative to anything else; independent
an absolute term in logic
the absolute value of a quantity in physics
6.
pure; unmixed
absolute alcohol
7.
(of a grammatical construction) syntactically independent of the main clause, as for example the construction Joking apart in the sentence Joking apart, we'd better leave now
8. grammar
(of a transitive verb) used without a direct object, as the verb intimidate in the sentence His intentions are good, but his rough manner tends to intimidate
9. grammar
(of an adjective) used as a noun, as for instance brave in the sentence Fortune favours the brave
10. physics
a. (postpositive)
(of a pressure measurement) not relative to atmospheric pressure
the pressure was 5 bar absolute
Compare gauge (sense 18)
b.
denoting absolute or thermodynamic temperature
11. mathematics
a.
(of a constant) never changing in value
b. Also: numerical
(of an inequality) unconditional
c.
(of a term) not containing a variable
12. law
(of a court order or decree) coming into effect immediately and not liable to be modified; final
decree absolute
13. law
(of a title to property, etc) not subject to any encumbrance or condition
noun
14.
something that is absolute
Word origin
C14: from Latin absolūtus unconditional, freed from, from absolvere. See absolve
Absolute in British English
(ˈæbsəˌluːt)
noun(sometimes not capital)
1. philosophy
a.
the ultimate basis of reality
b.
that which is totally unconditioned, unrestricted, pure, perfect, or complete
2.
(in the philosophy of Hegel) that towards which all things evolve dialectically
absolute in American English
(ˈæbsəˌlut; ˌ æbsəˈlut)
adjective
1.
perfect; complete; whole
absolute silence
2.
not mixed; pure
absolute alcohol
3.
not limited by a constitution, parliament, etc.; unrestricted
an absolute ruler
4.
positive; definite
an absolute certainty
5.
not doubted; actual; real
an absolute truth
6.
not dependent on, or without reference to, anything else; not relative
7. Grammar
a.
forming part of a sentence, but not in the usual relations of syntax
in the sentence “The weather being good, they went,” the weather being good is an absolute construction
b.
used without an explicit object
said of a verb usually transitive, such as steal in the sentence “Thieves steal.”
c.
used alone, with the noun understood
said of a pronoun or an adjective, such as ours and brave in the sentence “Ours are the brave.”
8. Law
without condition or encumbrance
absolute ownership
9. Physics
of the absolute temperature scale
noun
10.
something that is absolute
Idioms:
the Absolute
Derived forms
absoluteness (ˈabsoˌluteness)
noun
Word origin
ME absolut < L absolutus, pp. of absolvere, to loosen from: see absolve
Examples of 'absolute' in a sentence
absolute
We have absolute confidence in our independent nuclear deterrent.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
No one has an absolute right to anonymity.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They must be an absolute joy to live with.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Only the referee could explain why he could only give a penalty and not an absolute minimum of a yellow card.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The result is an absolute joy.
The Sun (2016)
In absolute terms they may be, but they notoriously engage in tax avoidance.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He's constantly smiling and is an absolute joy to be around.
The Sun (2016)
In both cases, bosses sometimes feel justified in keeping the present-day costs to an absolute minimum.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are familiar with the difference between absolute and relative ability in sports like athletics.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She instilled in me absolute confidence in myself.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You may also want to consider holding some of your spare cash in an absolute return fund.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some politicians prefer the bad old days when power was delightful and absolute power was absolutely delightful.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The horse is an absolute joy to deal with.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
These cowboys have been an absolute nightmare.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We always use an independent booking agency to keep costs to an absolute minimum.
The Sun (2012)
There is simply no contest in terms of absolute quality.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The first gives absolute priority to certain basic liberties over all other values.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
She came within a whisker of an absolute majority.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The argument for an absolute constitutional right to attend also proves too much.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The resulting damage can take its toll decades after the decree absolute comes through.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The question is whether we define poverty in absolute or relative terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
No wonder investors want absolute positive returns from alternative asset classes.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was a moment of absolute joy and happiness.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The former police sergeant is having an absolute nightmare at the moment.
The Sun (2014)
The company has bucked that trend by keeping costs to an absolute minimum.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Profit is obviously a key result in absolute terms.
Harrison, John Finance for the Non-Financial Manager (1989)
The absolute priority in shady areas is tone rather than colour.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But it would still be eight seats short of an absolute majority and would have no obvious coalition partner.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The three of you should undoubtedly submit your reports provided your teacher promises to keep the matter in absolute confidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is an absolute mathematical certainty.
The Sun (2016)
It's a comparative rank that is more important to good health than absolute income.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
With his absolute power gone, it is going to prove much harder to win a major.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These will result from hard work and good behaviour, as was mentioned above, but there are no absolute standards of good behaviour.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
In other languages
absolute
British English: absolute ADJECTIVE
Absolute means total and complete.
It's not really suited to absolute beginners.
American English: absolute
Brazilian Portuguese: absoluto
Chinese: 完全的
European Spanish: absoluto
French: absolu
German: absolut
Italian: assoluto
Japanese: 完全な
Korean: 완전한
European Portuguese: absoluto
Latin American Spanish: absoluto
British English: absolute NOUN
An absolute is a rule or principle that is believed to be true, right, or relevant in all situations.
We tend to think in absolutes.
American English: absolute
Brazilian Portuguese: verdade absoluta
Chinese: 绝对
European Spanish: absoluto
French: absolu
German: Absolute
Italian: principio assoluto
Japanese: 完全な
Korean: 절대적인 것
European Portuguese: verdade absoluta
Latin American Spanish: absoluto
All related terms of 'absolute'
absolute gem
If you describe something or someone as a gem , you mean that they are especially pleasing , good, or helpful .
absolute hell
If you say that a particular situation or place is hell , you are emphasizing that it is extremely unpleasant .
absolute joke
If you say that something or someone is a joke , you think they are ridiculous and do not deserve respect .
absolute peak
The peak of a process or an activity is the point at which it is at its strongest, most successful , or most fully developed.
absolute unit
a unit of measurement forming part of the electromagnetic cgs system, such as an abampere or abcoulomb
absolute veto
a vote , which cannot be overturned , to block a decision
absolute zero
Absolute zero is a theoretical temperature that is thought to be the lowest possible temperature.
the Absolute
ultimate reality regarded as uncaused , unmodified , unified and complete, timeless , etc.
absolute agony
Agony is great physical or mental pain.
absolute dream
You can refer to a situation or event as a dream if you often think about it because you would like it to happen .
absolute honour
If you describe doing or experiencing something as an honour , you mean you think it is something special and desirable .
absolute horror
Horror is a feeling of great shock , fear , and worry caused by something extremely unpleasant .
absolute music
music that is not designed to depict or evoke any scene or event
absolute pitch
the ability to identify exactly the pitch of a note without comparing it to another
absolute value
the positive real number equal to a given real but disregarding its sign . Written | x |. Where r is positive, | r | = r = | – r |
decree absolute
A decree absolute is the final order made by a court in a divorce case which ends a marriage completely.
ablative absolute
an absolute construction in Latin grammar in which a governor noun and a modifier in the ablative case function as a sentence modifier; for example , hostibus victis, "the enemy having been beaten "
absolute alcohol
a liquid containing at least 99 per cent of pure ethanol by weight
absolute altitude
the altitude of an aircraft over the surface of the land or water below
absolute bargain
Something that is a bargain is good value for money, usually because it has been sold at a lower price than normal .
absolute ceiling
the maximum height above sea level , usually measured in feet or metres , at which an aircraft can maintain horizontal flight
absolute delight
You can refer to someone or something that gives you great pleasure or enjoyment as a delight .
absolute disaster
If you refer to something as a disaster , you are emphasizing that you think it is extremely bad or unacceptable .
absolute disgrace
If you say that something is a disgrace , you are emphasizing that it is very bad or wrong , and that you find it completely unacceptable .
absolute favourite
Your favourite thing or person of a particular type is the one you like most.
absolute fortune
You can refer to a large sum of money as a fortune or a small fortune to emphasize how large it is.
absolute freedom
Freedom is the state of being allowed to do what you want to do. Freedoms are instances of this.
absolute humidity
the humidity of the atmosphere , usually expressed as the number of grams of water contained in 1 cubic metre of air
absolute judgment
any judgment about a single stimulus , e. g . about the value of one of its properties or about whether it is present or absent
absolute liability
full legal responsibility for damages or for an injury , without the need for proof and regardless of the degree of negligence or fault
absolute magnitude
the apparent magnitude a given star would have if it were situated at a distance of 10 parsecs (32.6 light years) from the earth
absolute majority
If a political party wins an absolute majority , they obtain more seats or votes than the total number of seats or votes gained by their opponents in an election .
absolute miracle
If you say that a good event is a miracle , you mean that it is very surprising and unexpected .
absolute monarchy
a monarchy without constitutional limits
absolute monopoly
a market situation in which there is only one supplier of a good or service for which there is no acceptable substitute .
absolute necessity
The necessity of something is the fact that it must happen or exist.
absolute pleasure
If something gives you pleasure , you get a feeling of happiness, satisfaction , or enjoyment from it.
absolute rubbish
If you think that something is of very poor quality, you can say that it is rubbish .
absolute shambles
If a place, event, or situation is a shambles or is in a shambles , everything is in disorder.
absolute threshold
the minimum intensity of a stimulus at which it can just be perceived
absolute viscosity
a full name for viscosity , used to distinguish it from kinematic viscosity and specific viscosity
absolute commitment
Commitment is a strong belief in an idea or system.
absolute configuration
the spatial arrangement of atoms or groups in a chemical compound about an asymmetric atom
absolute convergence
the property of an infinite series in which the series formed by replacing each term in the original series with its absolute value converges
absolute determination
Determination is the quality that you show when you have decided to do something and you will not let anything stop you.
absolute permeability
the permeability of free space, which has the value 4π × 10 –7 henry per metre
absolute permittivity
the permittivity of free space, which has the value 8.854 187 × 10 –12 farad per metre
absolute temperature
temperature measured from absolute zero on the Kelvin scale or on the Rankine scale
absolute undertaking
a legally binding promise to do something that is not restricted or qualified in any way
nominative absolute
a construction consisting in English of a noun , noun phrase, or pronoun in the nominative case followed by a predicate lacking a finite verb , used as a loose modifier of the whole sentence , as the play done in The play done, the audience left the theater