Used for emphasis to mean completely and totally; used to express strong agreement or confirmation.
Derived from 'absolute' plus '-ly', entering English in the late 14th century from Latin 'absolutus' meaning 'freed, unrestricted'. The Latin comes from 'absolvere' (to set free, acquit), combining 'ab-' (away from) and 'solvere' (to loosen, untie).
The word 'absolutely' underwent a dramatic shift in the 20th century from primarily describing philosophical or mathematical concepts to becoming an enthusiastic way to say 'yes'. This transformation reflects how language adapts to express emotional intensity, making 'absolutely' one of the strongest affirmative responses in modern English.
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