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absoluto
/ab.soˈlu.to/
absolute
Tiene un poder absoluto en la empresa.
He has absolute power in the company.
formal
Total, without any restriction or conditions.
El rey gobernaba con autoridad absoluta.
The king ruled with absolute authority.
La decisión es absoluta y no admite apelación.
The decision is absolute and does not allow appeal.
Used in political, legal, or philosophical contexts to describe unconditional power or truth.
general
Complete, perfect, or without flaws.
La paz absoluta es difícil de alcanzar.
Absolute peace is hard to achieve.
Su dominio del tema es absoluto.
His mastery of the subject is absolute.
Common in everyday language to describe something complete or perfect.
linguistic
In grammar, referring to the absolute superlative (e.g., 'buenísimo' → 'absolutamente bueno').
En español, 'absoluto' se usa para enfatizar el superlativo.
In Spanish, 'absoluto' is used to emphasize the superlative.
Rarely used in this sense outside linguistic contexts.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'absoluto' in casual speech
While 'absoluto' is useful in formal or philosophical contexts, it can sound exaggerated in everyday conversation. For example, instead of saying 'Tengo hambre absoluta,' say 'Tengo mucha hambre.'
Gold Rule
Use 'absoluto' for unconditional or complete states
Reserve 'absoluto' for situations where there is no possibility of variation or exception, such as in legal, political, or philosophical contexts.
Word Origin
From Latin *absolutus*, past participle of *absolvere* ('to absolve, set free'), from *ab-* ('away') + *solvere* ('to loosen').
Usage Notes
In Spanish, 'absoluto' is often used in philosophical or legal contexts to describe something without restrictions. It can also mean 'complete' or 'perfect' in everyday language. Avoid overusing it in informal contexts as it may sound overly dramatic.
Word Breakdown
ab-
prefix meaning 'away from'
prefix-soluto
from Latin *solvere* ('to loosen')
rootDiccionario Español-Inglés