This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
surely
[ shoor-lee, shur- ]
/ ˈʃʊər li, ˈʃɜr- /
Save This Word!
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
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
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. 2022
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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012