Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

absolve

/æbˈzɑlv/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.83 in modern English

Syllables
ab-solve
IPA
/æbˈzɑlv/
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.).

Transitive verb

verb

To resolve; to explain; to solve.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

verb

To pronounce free from or give absolution for a penalty, blame, or guilt.

Transitive verb

verb

To pronounce not guilty; to grant a pardon for.

Transitive verb

verb

To grant a remission of sin; to give absolution to.

Transitive verb

verb

To remit a sin; to give absolution for a sin.

Transitive verb

verb

To finish; to accomplish.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

verb

To pass a course or test; to gain credit for a class; to qualify academically.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

First attested in the early 15th century. From Middle English absolven, from Latin absolvere (“set free, acquit”), from ab (“away from”) + solvō (“loosen, free, release”). Doublet of assoil.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *lewh₁-, absolven, absolvō

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /æbˈzɑlv/
  • British English: /əbˈzɒlv/

Usage

Inflected Forms

absolves (present, singular) absolving (participle, present) absolved (participle, past) absolved (past)

Derived Forms

absolvable absolvement absolver reabsolve unabsolve

Frequently Paired Words

absolutionary absolutive absolutory absolvatory

Synonyms

excuse exempt free release absolve befree deliver discharge disentangle extricate let go let loose

Rhymes With

solve involve resolve evolve dissolve revolve devolve volve preresolve convolve redissolve intervolve

Questions

How do you pronounce absolve?
The recorded pronunciation is /æbˈzɑlv/.
What does absolve mean?
To set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.).
Where does absolve come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce absolve

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “absolve”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/æbˈzɑlv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “absolve”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “absolve” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.