truly
TROO-lee
Truly (adv) means In accordance with fact; accurately or honestly. Example: “Can you truly say you did not hear the alarm?”
adv
1
In accordance with fact; accurately or honestly.
"Can you truly say you did not hear the alarm?"
"He answered truly and admitted that he had made a mistake."
"Truly, that is all I know."
"That is truly all I know."
"Tell me truly, did you take the last cookie?"
2
Used to emphasize a quality; genuinely or very.
"The view from the top of the hill was truly breathtaking."
"She is a truly kind person who always helps her neighbours."
"I’m distantly related to the truly great writer, Chaim Potok, which for a magazine editor seems like a good thing."
— Mark Potok, What’s in a Name? (2014)
"It was truly one of the best meals I've ever had."
How to use truly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGenuinely, honestly, or to a strong degree.
Common pairings
truly amazing
truly sorry
yours truly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- trulier, more truly
- Superlative
- truliest, most truly
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Can you _____ say you did not hear the alarm?
Etymology
From Old English trēowlīċe, "faithfully," built from true plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for truly
See all rhymes for truly →Frequently asked questions
What does “truly” mean?
The word “truly” means in accordance with fact; accurately or honestly. In plain terms, genuinely, honestly, or to a strong degree.
How do you pronounce “truly”?
“Truly” is pronounced TROO-lee (/ˈtɹuːli/ in IPA).
How do you use “truly” in a sentence?
Here is “truly” used in a sentence: “Tell me truly, did you take the last cookie?”
What is another word for “truly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “truly” include frankly, sincerely, literally and exceedingly.
What part of speech is “truly”?
“Truly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “truly” come from?
The word “truly” comes from Old English. From Old English trēowlīċe, "faithfully," built from true plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Is “truly” a common word?
“Truly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “truly” have?
“Truly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in accordance with fact; accurately or honestly.
What is the difference between 'truly' and 'really'?
Both affirm or intensify, and they often overlap. "Truly" leans toward sincerity and accordance with fact, as in "I truly mean it." "Really" is more casual and is also used for emphasis or surprise, as in "It's really hot." In heartfelt statements, "truly" sounds more earnest.
How do you use 'yours truly'?
"Yours truly" is a polite closing for letters and emails, written just before your signature, and slightly less formal than "yours sincerely." Informally, "yours truly" can also be a playful way of referring to oneself: "And who tidied up afterwards? Yours truly."
Is 'truly' formal or informal?
"Truly" works in both settings. It appears in formal writing and sign-offs like "yours truly," and in everyday speech for sincerity or emphasis, as in "I'm truly sorry." Its tone is generally earnest, making it feel genuine and heartfelt rather than merely casual.
What can I use instead of 'truly'?
Depending on the sense, alternatives include "genuinely," "honestly," "sincerely," "really," and "actually." For accordance with fact, "genuinely" or "honestly" fit well; for emphasis, "really" works. Each keeps the core idea of something being true, accurate, or heartfelt.
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