absolutely
/ˌæbsəˈlutli/
adverb
Core
1.adv.completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
“an absolutely magnificent painting”
2.adv.totally and definitely; without question
“we are absolutely opposed to the idea”
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absolutely and utterly share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. absolutely means “completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers”. utterly means “completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers”. absolutely is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˌæbsəˈlutli/
1.adv.completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
“an absolutely magnificent painting”
2.adv.totally and definitely; without question
“we are absolutely opposed to the idea”
| absolutely | utterly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˌæbsəˈlutli/ | /ˈʌtɚli/ |
| Said | ab-suh-LOOT-lee | UHT-ur-lee |
| Syllables | 4 | 3 |
| Letters | 10 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Senses | 2 | 1 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | perfectly, utterly, dead | absolutely, perfectly, dead |
Full entry for absolutely · Full entry for utterly · More comparisons
/ˈʌtɚli/
1.adv.completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
“an absolutely magnificent painting”