truly
Americanadverb
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in accordance with fact or truth; truthfully.
Whatever his faults, he lived a life that can be truly said to be significant.
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legitimately; by right.
Those assets and properties are no longer truly his.
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We're truly sorry for the delay.
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to the fullest extent or degree.
The property should be viewed to truly appreciate all it has to offer.
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to a great extent or degree.
The film is littered with some truly dreadful sequences.
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sincerely (a conventional term used at the end of a letter).
Yours truly, Allan Burns.
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exactly; accurately; correctly.
The clock runs truly.
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To truly worship God, we must know Him and not be ignorant of His glorious nature.
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indeed; without doubt; verily.
Truly, she is a fair-haired angel.
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Archaic. faithfully; loyally.
adverb
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in a true, just, or faithful manner
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(intensifier)
a truly great man
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indeed; really
Etymology
Origin of truly
First recorded before 1000; Middle English treuli, Old English trēowlīce; tru(e) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
Truly is an adverb that means "in truth" or "really." You would say, "That is truly beautiful" or "It was truly a beautiful wedding." When you're truly sick, you're really sick. When you're truly sorry, you're sincerely sorry. A truly odd story is extremely strange or bizarre. A truly scary movie is terrifying. This word has to do with things that are actually or absolutely so. It's also used as a closing in letters. Instead of "Sincerely" or "Sincerely yours," many people write, "Yours truly" or "Very truly yours." The idea is: "I really mean this; you can trust me."
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.
"I truly believe social media will become the smoking of our time," Michael Hall said.
From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026
“Steeped in the artistic legacy and rustic seclusion of Snedens Landing, this home—previously home to actress Hayden Panettiere—is truly a one-of-a-kind property.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
Al Otro Lado is another truly horrifying decision with, again, Sam Alito writing for the six.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026
If “Supergirl” sells enough of it, hopefully Alcock can rampage again in a more confident sequel that truly cuts loose.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026
There are stale rolls on offer, and some truly foul-smelling salted fish.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
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.
