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true

adj. · adv. · v. · n.
US //ˈtɹu// UK //tɹˈuː// true
  1. 1 factually correct (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    correct and based on facts rather than being made up.

    conforming to actual facts or reality; not false.

    Example

    Everything she said in the interview was true.

    Example

    While the basic premise of the documentary is true, many of the specific details have been simplified for a general audience.
    Pitfall
    It is true that he is coming?
    Is it true that he is coming?

    In questions, the verb 'is' must come before the subject 'it'.

  2. 2 loyal and faithful (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    staying loyal to a person, a group, or a set of beliefs.

    steadfast in allegiance or duty; loyal and faithful to a person or principle.

    Example

    He has been a true friend to me during this difficult time.

    Example

    Throughout the political crisis, she remained true to her convictions despite significant pressure from her peers to compromise.
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  1. 3 genuine or real (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    being the real thing and not a copy or a fake.

    rightfully so called; possessing the essential characters of the thing named.

    Example

    The explorer was a true hero who saved many lives.

    Example

    The discovery of the manuscript provided the first true insight into the daily lives of the island's original inhabitants.
  2. 4 logic/computing (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    one of two possible values in logic, usually meaning 'yes' or 'on'.

    denoting one of the two possible values in Boolean logic, representing an affirmative or positive result.

    Example

    The computer program checks if the statement is true or false.

    Example

    The function returns a true value only if all the specified conditions within the array are met simultaneously.
    • false
  3. 5 straight or aligned (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    perfectly straight, level, or in the right position.

    correctly positioned, balanced, or aligned; free from deviation.

    Example

    Check that the door frame is true before you tighten the screws.

    Example

    The carpenter used a spirit level to ensure the shelving unit was perfectly true before securing it to the wall studs.
  4. 6 straight and accurately (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    moving in a straight line toward a target.

    in a straight or direct line; accurately toward a mark.

    Example

    The arrow flew true and hit the center of the target.

    Example

    Despite the heavy crosswinds, the navigator ensured the vessel ran true toward the harbour entrance.
  5. 7 to align or straighten (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    to adjust something so that it is straight or in the right place.

    to bring something into a desired shape, alignment, or position; often used with 'up'.

    Example

    The mechanic had to true the bicycle wheel after the accident.

    Example

    The technician spent several hours truing up the precision machinery to ensure the components met the required tolerances.

    Usage

    Often used as the phrasal verb 'true up'.
  6. 8 proper alignment (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    the state of being perfectly straight or in the right position.

    the state of being in proper alignment or adjustment.

    Example

    The wheels on the old cart were slightly out of true.

    Example

    If the foundation is even slightly out of true, the entire structural integrity of the building could be compromised over time.

    Usage

    Usually appears in the phrase 'out of true'.
Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

Variant of truce.

Idioms8 entries

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