true
troo
True (adj) means matching the actual facts; correct or accurate. Example: “Is it true that the store is closing next month?”
adj
1
Matching the actual facts; correct or accurate.
"Is it true that the store is closing next month?"
"Everything in her statement turned out to be true."
"The rumour turned out not to be true, so nobody needed to worry."
2
Loyal or faithful.
"He remained true to his friends even when times were hard."
"A true friend will still listen to you when everyone else has walked away."
"The old dog stayed true to its owner right to the very end."
verb
1
To adjust something so it is straight, level, or properly aligned.
"Please true the shelf with a spirit level before you screw it in."
"He carefully trued the frame so the picture would hang straight."
"The mechanic trued the wheel after it started wobbling."
How to use true
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMatching reality, or being loyal and reliable; as a verb, to straighten or align something precisely.
Common pairings
true to form
true to life
ring true
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like true.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- trues
- Third person singular
- trues
- Past tense
- trued
- Comparative
- truer, more true
- Superlative
- truest, most true
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Is it _____ that the store is closing next month?
Etymology
From Old English trēowe, "faithful, trustworthy," from a Germanic root meaning "firm" or "hard" — the sense of factual accuracy grew out of the older idea of being reliable and trustworthy.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for true
See all rhymes for true →Frequently asked questions
What does “true” mean?
The word “true” means matching the actual facts; correct or accurate. In plain terms, matching reality, or being loyal and reliable; as a verb, to straighten or align something precisely.
How do you pronounce “true”?
“True” is pronounced troo (/tɹuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “true” in a sentence?
Here is “true” used in a sentence: “Is it true that the store is closing next month?”
What part of speech is “true”?
Depending on how it is used, “true” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “true” come from?
The word “true” comes from Old English. From Old English trēowe, "faithful, trustworthy," from a Germanic root meaning "firm" or "hard" — the sense of factual accuracy grew out of the older idea of being reliable and trustworthy.
Is “true” a common word?
“True” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “true” have?
“True” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: matching the actual facts; correct or accurate.
What is the difference between true and false?
True means matching the actual facts — a statement that corresponds to reality. False is its direct opposite: not matching the facts, mistaken, or deliberately untrue. Every factual claim is one or the other. "It is raining" is true if rain is falling and false if it is not.
What is the difference between true and real?
"True" describes statements that match the facts; "real" describes things that actually exist. A story can be true when it accurately reports events, while a diamond is real when it is genuine, not fake. Truth is about the accuracy of claims; realness is about genuine existence. They overlap but are not identical.
What is the difference between true and accurate?
The two are close. "True" means a statement matches the facts and is not false. "Accurate" adds a sense of precision and exactness, free from error in the details. A rough claim can be true without being fully accurate. Something accurate is true and also carefully correct in its particulars.
Can 'true' mean loyal or genuine?
Yes. Beyond factual correctness, "true" can mean faithful and dependable, as in "a true friend" or "true to your word." Here it describes loyalty and sincerity rather than facts. It can also mean genuine or authentic, as in "true gold." All these senses share the idea of being real and reliable.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include true:
