surely
Americanadverb
-
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!
adverb
-
without doubt; assuredly
things 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 that
surely you don't mean it?
-
rare in a sure manner
-
archaic safely; securely
-
(sentence substitute) willingly; of course; yes
Commonly Confused
See sure.
Etymology
Origin of surely
First recorded in 1300–50, surely is from the Middle English word surliche. See sure, -ly
Explanation
Use the adverb surely to emphasize your certainty about a point. For example, you could tell your friend that her painting is so good that she'll surely win the art contest. The word surely can fill in for definitely or absolutely. It comes in handy especially when you're surprised that anyone would doubt what you're saying: "I can't believe the school banned that book. Surely kids should have access to classic literature." Surely comes from the same roots as sure, from the Old French seur, "secure, undoubted, or dependable," and the Latin securus, "free from care, untroubled, or safe."
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.
That’s not to say, given the setting and the setup, which betokens tragedy as surely as Romeo meeting Juliet, it doesn’t throb with tension, let’s say, three-quarters of the time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
It will surely not get much better than the first sight of the white cliffs of Dover.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
But surely those efforts can be contested in court?
From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026
But surely, the sequel will shake things up.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
We quickly gave them all the news they needed, knowing Mr. Drysdale was surely preparing for his meeting at the bank.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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.
