Absolute magnitude is a magnitude-style (logarithmic) measurement
of brightness indicating the magnitude as would be seen from 10
parsecs (i.e., what would be its apparent magnitude at that distance)
adjusted to what it would be if there were no reddening.
The intention is to quantify the brightness of the star itself,
irrespective of distance.
As with all astronomical magnitude scales,
the smaller the number, the brighter.
Absolute magnitudes of some stars:
Without the adjective bolometric,
nor indication of a filter, the visible magnitude
is generally implied, generally meaning the absolute magnitude given
the V filter.