absolution
/ˌæb.səˈl(j)u.ʃn̩/noun
absolution is spelled A-B-S-O-L-U-T-I-O-N: 10 letters and 4 syllables. It appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 34,912th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, absolution means “An absolving of sins from ecclesiastical penalties by an authority” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of absolution is absolutions.
How many letters and syllables are in absolution?
| Letters | 10: A-B-S-O-L-U-T-I-O-N |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 4 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 1 million words; the 34,912th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is absolution?
Absolution appears about once in every 1 million words in written English, the 34,912th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce absolution?
- UK /æb.səˈljuː.ʃn̩/
- US /ˌæb.səˈl(j)u.ʃn̩/
Absolution has 4 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-absolution.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with absolution?
5 words on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as absolution from its last stressed vowel (/uʃn/):
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of absolution
- absolutions plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does absolution mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
An absolving of sins from ecclesiastical penalties by an authority.
- 2
The forgiveness of sins, in a general sense.
- 3
The form of words by which a penitent is absolved.
- 4
An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense.
Governments granting absolution to the nation.
- 5
obsoleteAn acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring an accused person innocent.
- 6
obsoleteDelivery, in speech.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Absolution in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | Absolution , Freispruch |
| Portuguese | absolvição |
| Spanish | absolución |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does absolution come from?
From Middle English absolucion, absolucioun, from Old French absolution, from Latin absolūtiōnem, accusative singular of absolūtiō (“acquittal”), from absolvō (“absolve”). See also absolve.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).