ENGLISH
REFERENCE

truly

adv.
US //ˈtɹuɫi// UK //tɹˈuːli// tru·ly
  1. 1 honestly and sincerely (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    used to show that you are being honest about your feelings or opinions.

    used to emphasize the sincerity or genuineness of a statement, feeling, or belief.

    Example

    I am truly sorry for the mistake I made yesterday.

    Example

    She was truly moved by the kindness of the local community during her recovery from the accident.

    Usage

    Often placed before an adjective or a verb to emphasize the speaker's sincerity.
  2. 2 accurately or really (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    in a way that is true or matches the facts.

    in accordance with truth or fact; used to confirm the reality of a situation.

    Example

    It is hard to know what truly happened without any witnesses.

    Example

    The documentary attempts to show how the explorers truly lived during their long winter in the Arctic.

    Usage

    Frequently used in questions or negative statements to challenge or confirm facts.
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  1. 3 very or completely (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    used to emphasize a quality, meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.

    used as an intensifier to emphasize the degree of a quality or state.

    Example

    The view from the top of the mountain was truly beautiful.

    Example

    The architect's latest design is a truly remarkable achievement in sustainable urban planning.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'truly' is common in writing, 'really' is much more frequent in everyday spoken English for this sense.
Origin

From Middle English truely, treuly, treuli, trewely, treoweliche, treowliche, from Old English trēowlīċe (“faithfully; truly”), equivalent to true + -ly. Cognate with Dutch trouwelijk, Middle Low German truwlike, German treulich, Swedish trolig, Icelandic trygglega.

Idioms2 entries

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