forsooth
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of forsooth
before 900; Middle English forsothe, Old English forsōth. See for, sooth
Explanation
If you want to say "indeed" in a particularly witty, old-fashioned way, use the adverb forsooth. Sprinkle this word into your speech, and forsooth, your friends may think you sound Shakespearean: “Yes, forsooth mother, I shall walk the dog around the block.” Forsooth is an archaic adverb, mainly used in humorous contexts or on National Talk Like Shakespeare Day. Some etymologists believe it's a shortened form of “for in truth.”
Vocabulary lists containing forsooth
Much Ado About Nothing
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King Lear
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Tolkien Reading Day, List 7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His departure seemed to fulfill the prophecy he made in a 1965 poem, alluding to Karl Marx's famous phrase: Adieu to the prophet who said: "Forsooth, you've nothing to lose but your chains."
From Time Magazine Archive
"Forsooth," replied fair Kriemhild, "they must have used me ill.133 IX "How could my noble brethren their power have so applied, As to make me, their sister, a lowly vassal's bride?
From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown
Forsooth then shall we doubt but deeds shall spread our valour far?
From The Æneids of Virgil Done into English Verse by Morris, William
Forsooth, A. D. 1000 is yet the blessed time when "faith transported mountains."
From Women of the Teutonic Nations Woman: In all ages and in all countries Vol. 8 (of 10) by Schoenfeld, Hermann
Forsooth, the ignominious defeat of Jena was indeed quietly preparing many years before it took place.
From Women of the Teutonic Nations Woman: In all ages and in all countries Vol. 8 (of 10) by Schoenfeld, Hermann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
