different between essentially vs absolutely

English

Etymology

essential +? -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??s?n??li/
• Hyphenation: es?sen?tial?ly

Adverb

essentially (comparative more essentially, superlative most essentially)

1. in an essential manner; in essence

Synonyms

• actually, at bottom, at heart, basically, centrally, characteristically, factually, fundamentally, in essence, in the main, inherently, intrinsically, naturally, substantially
• See also Thesaurus:intrinsically or Thesaurus:fundamentally

Translations

English

Etymology

absolute +? -ly, from Middle English.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /æb.s??l(j)u?t.l?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?æb.s??lut.li/, /?æb.s??lut.li/

Adverb

absolutely (not comparable)

1. In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
2. Independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
3. (grammar) In a manner that does not take an object.

Usage notes

• Absolutely is not to be confused with intensives such as very or indeed, as it is an unconditional term, absolutely/*very essential, vital or crucial.

Synonyms

• (in an absolute or unconditional manner): See also Thesaurus:completely
• (viewed without relation to other things): See also Thesaurus:individually

Translations

Interjection

absolutely

1. Yes; certainly; expression indicating strong agreement. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

Usage notes

• Some commentators, especially in England, criticise the interjectional use as having no useful meaning beyond that of yes; however, this assumes that emphasis is useless, which, pragmatically speaking, it isn’t.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• absitively posolutely

References