What is an Absolute Adjective? Meaning, Examples + Quiz

Short answer and quick overview: An absolute adjective describes a quality that exists in a complete or fixed state and does not allow comparison

These adjectives reflect a quality that a noun can either possess or not possess. There are no “degrees” in the qualities that are indicated by absolute adjectives.

To learn about absolute adjectives easily, you can remember them as “binary” adjectives or “Boolean” adjectives.

Introduction to Absolute Adjectives by GrammarGramps

Hey there. How’re you doing? Let’s learn about absolute adjectives today.

So, you know how there are a lot of different types of adjectives, right? In our detailed guide on adjectives and their types, we covered 17 different ones, such as descriptive, quantitative, distributive, etc. All of these types are formed based on function, position, and form.

Other than those types, there is another classification that is applied to adjectives, based on whether they have comparative/superlative forms or not. If an adjective can be measured in degrees using comparative and superlative forms, it is known as a gradable adjective. If an adjective cannot be measured in degrees and doesn’t have comparative and superlative forms, it is known as a non-gradable adjective.

Absolute adjectives are one of the two types of non-gradable adjectives. The other type is extreme adjectives.

In this post, we’re going to be discussing the former.

Absolute adjectives are defined thus:

An absolute adjective is a type of non-gradable adjective that expresses a fixed, complete state with no degrees of comparison. Gradable adjectives, like “tall” or “happy,” allow comparison using forms like “taller” or “very happy.” Absolute adjectives, like “perfect” or “unique,” do not logically vary in intensity.

An Example to Understand Absolute Adjectives

For instance, let’s say there are 10 cars in a garage. We can use different adjectives for the cars, including fast, stylish, and new. We can say that the McLaren is faster than the BMW. We can say that the Audi is newer than the Toyota. We can say that the Ford is more stylish than the Fiat. Lastly, we can also say that the Bugatti is the fastest, most stylish, and newest of them all.

You see, we can use comparative adjective forms to compare the cars to one another and superlative forms to declare one of them the best. None of the adjectives used above are absolute.

But let’s say two of the cars got stolen. No one would say that one of them is a “more stolen car” than the other. There is no comparative or superlative form for the word “stolen.” Either the car is stolen or it’s not.

Examples of Absolute Adjectives

Here are some examples of absolute adjectives that are used regularly by native English speakers.

1. Perfect
2. Unique
3. Alive
4. Infinite
5. Empty
6. Full
7. Complete
8. Impossible
9. Essential
10. Final
11. Absolute
12. Entire
13. Universal
14. Irreversible
15. Eternal

Absolute Adjectives Can Be Called “Binary” or “Boolean” Adjectives

In order to memorize the concept of absolute adjectives, you can remember them as “binary adjectives” or “Boolean adjectives.”

Binary means a system consisting of two elements/parts. By memorizing absolute adjectives as “binary,” you can quickly recall their definition as adjectives that either exist or not, with no “degrees” in between.

The same goes for the word “Boolean.” Boolean is a term used in computer science that indicates a data type that can contain only one of two values: true or false. A “Boolean adjective,” hence, would refer to an adjective that can either exist or not exist.

What is the Relationship Between Absolute Adjectives and Extreme Adjectives?

Absolute adjectives and extreme adjectives are both non-gradable adjectives, but they differ in function. Absolute adjectives express fixed states with no logical variation, like “perfect” or “dead.” Extreme adjectives express very high degrees of a quality, like “exhausted” or “freezing,” and replace modified gradable forms like “very tired” or “very cold.”

You can learn more about gradable vs. non-gradable adjectives in our detailed guide here on GrammarGramps.

Some Exceptions to Note About Absolute Adjectives

There is one important thing to note about absolute adjectives, especially as someone who isn’t completely fluent in English and is trying to speak it in a native manner.

Sometimes, you will hear the words “more” and “most” used with absolute adjectives in an informal or poetic context. For example, someone might say,

When I went to the mountains, I felt more alive than ever.

This type of usage occurs in informal situations and isn’t strictly correct. However, in everyday usage, it’s considered normal and acceptable.

Short Quiz on Absolute Adjectives by GrammarGramps

Now that you’ve learned about absolute adjectives, here is a short quiz that you can take to really seal it all in.

1. Which of these is not a name for absolute adjectives?
   A. Binary adjectives
   B. Boolean adjectives
   C. Restrictive adjectives
2. Which sentence uses an absolute adjective incorrectly in a formal context?
   A. The tank is full.
   B. The results were more unique than expected.
   C. The deadline is final.
3. Why can’t absolute adjectives have comparative or superlative forms?
   A. Because they are too long
   B. Because they only describe places
   C. Because they describe a quality that either exists or doesn’t
4. Which of the following is NOT an absolute adjective?
   A. Impossible
   B. Difficult
   C. Eternal
5. What is the absolute adjective in this sentence: The investigation is complete.
   A. investigation
   B. is
   C. complete

Answer Sheet

1. C
2. B
3. C
4. B
5. C

Learn More on GrammarGramps

Once you’re done with this guide, head to our glossary of English grammar to learn some more concepts. You can also visit our Knowledge Center to find detailed guides on different grammar topics like adverbs, nouns, verbs, prepositions, and so on.

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