How to pronounce absolutely
Say it like ab-suh-LOOT-lee. Absolutely has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LOOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce absolutely. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ab
- suh
- LOOT
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Absolutely pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- abGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LOOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of absolutely
American and British speakers say absolutely in essentially the same way: /ˌæbsəˈlutli/ in the US and /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/ in the UK.
British respelling: ab-suh-LOOT-lee.
What does absolutely mean?
- completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers“an absolutely magnificent painting”“a perfectly idiotic idea”
- totally and definitely; without question“we are absolutely opposed to the idea”“he forced himself to lie absolutely still”
Where does absolutely come from?
First attested in 1425.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with absolutely
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of absolutely.
Questions about saying absolutely
How do you pronounce absolutely?
Say ab-suh-LOOT-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˌæbsəˈlutli/. In British English it is /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in absolutely?
Absolutely has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LOOT). Broken into parts: ab · suh · LOOT · lee.
Do Americans and Brits say absolutely the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæbsəˈlutli/ and the British form is /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.