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surely
[ shoor-lee, shur- ]
/ ˈʃʊər li, ˈʃɜr- /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adverb
firmly; unerringly; without missing, slipping, etc.
undoubtedly, assuredly, or certainly: The results are surely encouraging.
(in emphatic utterances that are not necessarily sustained by fact) assuredly: Surely you are mistaken.
inevitably or without fail: Slowly but surely the end approached.
yes, indeed: Surely, I'll go with you!
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of surely
words often confused with surely
2. See sure.
Words nearby surely
sure cure, sure-enough, surefire, surefooted, sure-handed, surely, sure of oneself, Sûreté, sure thing, surety, suretyship
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use surely in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for surely
surely
/ (ˈʃʊəlɪ, ˈʃɔː-) /
adverb
without doubt; assuredlythings could surely not have been worse
without fail; inexorably (esp in the phrase slowly but surely)
(sentence modifier) am I not right in thinking that?; I am sure thatsurely you don't mean it?
rare in a sure manner
archaic safely; securely
(sentence substitute) mainly US and Canadian willingly; of course; yes
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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