I. ab ‧ so ‧ lute 1 S2 W3 /ˈæbsəluːt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of absolvere ; ⇨ ↑ absolve ]
1 . complete or total:
I have absolute confidence in her.
We don’t know with absolute certainty that the project will succeed.
2 . [only before noun] especially British English informal used to emphasize your opinion about something or someone:
Some of the stuff on TV is absolute rubbish.
How did you do that? You’re an absolute genius.
That meal last night cost an absolute fortune.
3 . definite and not likely to change:
We need absolute proof that he took the money.
4 . not restricted or limited:
an absolute monarch
Parents used to have absolute power over their children.
5 . true, correct, and not changing in any situation:
You have an absolute right to refuse medical treatment.
6 . in absolute terms measured by itself, not in comparison with other things:
In absolute terms wages have risen, but not in comparison with the cost of living.
II. absolute 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
something that is considered to be true or right in all situations:
She believed in the importance of moral absolutes.