true
- 01 A1 Beginner
adj.correct and based on facts rather than being made up.
adj.conforming to actual facts or reality; not false.
Simple“Everything she said in the interview was true.”
In context“While the basic premise of the documentary is true, many of the specific details have been simplified for a general audience.”
PitfallIt is true that he is coming? Is it true that he is coming?In questions, the verb 'is' must come before the subject 'it'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
adj.staying loyal to a person, a group, or a set of beliefs.
adj.steadfast in allegiance or duty; loyal and faithful to a person or principle.
Simple“He has been a true friend to me during this difficult time.”
In context“Throughout the political crisis, she remained true to her convictions despite significant pressure from her peers to compromise.”
Antonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.being the real thing and not a copy or a fake.
adj.rightfully so called; possessing the essential characters of the thing named.
Simple“The explorer was a true hero who saved many lives.”
In context“The discovery of the manuscript provided the first true insight into the daily lives of the island's original inhabitants.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.one of two possible values in logic, usually meaning 'yes' or 'on'.
adj.denoting one of the two possible values in Boolean logic, representing an affirmative or positive result.
Simple“The computer program checks if the statement is true or false.”
In context“The function returns a true value only if all the specified conditions within the array are met simultaneously.”
Synonymspositivebinary oneAntonymsfalse - 05 C1 Advanced
adj.perfectly straight, level, or in the right position.
adj.correctly positioned, balanced, or aligned; free from deviation.
Simple“Check that the door frame is true before you tighten the screws.”
In context“The carpenter used a spirit level to ensure the shelving unit was perfectly true before securing it to the wall studs.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
adv.moving in a straight line toward a target.
adv.in a straight or direct line; accurately toward a mark.
Simple“The arrow flew true and hit the center of the target.”
In context“Despite the heavy crosswinds, the navigator ensured the vessel ran true toward the harbour entrance.”
- 07 C2 Proficiency
v.to adjust something so that it is straight or in the right place.
v.to bring something into a desired shape, alignment, or position; often used with 'up'.
Simple“The mechanic had to true the bicycle wheel after the accident.”
In context“The technician spent several hours truing up the precision machinery to ensure the components met the required tolerances.”
UsageOften used as the phrasal verb 'true up'.
Synonyms - 08 C2 Proficiency
n.the state of being perfectly straight or in the right position.
n.the state of being in proper alignment or adjustment.
Simple“The wheels on the old cart were slightly out of true.”
In context“If the foundation is even slightly out of true, the entire structural integrity of the building could be compromised over time.”
UsageUsually appears in the phrase 'out of true'.
Usage true calling' · true nature · true crime
From Middle English trewe, from Old English trīewe, (Mercian) trēowe (“trusty, faithful”), from Proto-Germanic triwwiz (compare Saterland Frisian trjou (“honest”), Dutch getrouw and trouw, German treu, Norwegian and Swedish trygg (“safe, secure’”)), from pre-Germanic drewh₂yos, from Proto-Indo-European drewh₂- (“steady, firm”) (compare Irish dearbh (“sure”), Old Prussian druwis (“faith”), Ancient Greek δροόν (droón, “firm”)), extension of dóru (“tree”) (possibly also Proto-Slavic *sъdorvъ (“healthy”) from the same root). More at tree. For the semantic development, compare Latin robustus (“tough”) from robur (“red oak”).
Variant of truce.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.