/ ˈæbsəluːt; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
total and complete :
a class for absolute beginners
absolute confidence / trust / silence / truth
'You're wrong,' she said with absolute certainty.
2.
[ only before noun ] used, especially in spoken English, to give emphasis to what you are saying :
There's absolute rubbish on television tonight.
He must earn an absolute fortune.
3.
definite and without any doubt or confusion :
There was no absolute proof.
He taught us that the laws of physics were absolute.
The divorce became absolute last week.
—see also decree absolute
4.
not limited or restricted :
absolute power / authority
an absolute ruler / monarchy (= one with no limit to their power)
5.
existing or measured independently and not in relation to sth else :
Although prices are falling in absolute terms , energy is still expensive.
Beauty cannot be measured by any absolute standard.
—compare relative
■ noun
an idea or a principle that is believed to be true or valid in any circumstances :
Right and wrong are, for her, moral absolutes.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin absolutus freed, unrestricted, past participle of absolvere set free, acquit, from ab- from + solvere loosen.