truly
/ˈtruːli
/adverb
1In a truthful way: he speaks truly...
- Ignorant children can speak truly about Jesus because God has given them this insight and opened their mouths.
- I truly and openly declare that I believe that the nation will become a republic over time.
- There was an almost awkward silence, in which a thousand words were exchanged, but none were truly spoken.
Synonyms
truthfully, honestly, frankly, candidly, openly, to someone's face, without dissembling, laying one's cards on the table
informal with no punches pulled
1.1Used to emphasize emotional sincerity or seriousness: it is truly a privilege to be here [as submodifier]: I’m truly sorry, but I can’t join you today...
- This was a slip of the brain on our part for which we are truly, madly deeply sorry.
- Really, seriously, truly… how would you handle the situation with the recruiter?
- It truly was an emotional moment, and I swear I saw more than one tear filled eye among the delighted fans.
Synonyms
sincerely, genuinely, really, indeed, from the bottom of one's heart, heartily, profoundly, veritably;
very, extremely, awfully, dreadfully, frightfully, exceptionally, exceedingly, immensely, uncommonly, incredibly, most, positively;
Scottish unco;
North American quite
informal terribly, terrifically, tremendously, fearfully, desperately, seriously, majorly, hugely, fantastically, madly
British informal jolly, ever so, dead, well, fair, right
North American informal real, mighty, awful, plumb, powerful, way, bitching
South African informal lekker
archaic exceeding, sore
2To the fullest degree; genuinely or properly: management does not truly understand about the residents...
- In order to truly understand what went wrong with this war, you have to look at what was being said and what was being heard before we went into it.
- Have you ever truly analysed your real feelings?
- That decade truly represented the age of parity, relatively speaking.
Synonyms
accurately, correctly, exactly, precisely, faithfully, closely, unerringly
2.1 [as submodifier] Absolutely or completely (used for emphasis): a truly dreadful song...
- Aren't you at least going to feel a bit sorry for the truly fabulous and real you that never gets to see the world again?
- I only ever got one truly awful grade on a paper, and man, did I deserve it.
- The horse-riding sequences are truly excellent and an absolute blast.
Synonyms
really, absolutely, simply, utterly, totally, perfectly, thoroughly, positively, completely
3In actual fact or without doubt; really: this is truly a miracle...
- This is truly, beyond any doubt, the best crab fritter you will ever have in your life.
- Though if by some other miracle I was able to catch him, I truly doubt he would show as much strength
- None of us have any doubt that this one truly will deliver.
Synonyms
without (a) doubt, unquestionably, undoubtedly, certainly, surely, definitely, beyond doubt/question, indubitably, undeniably, beyond the shadow of a doubt;
in truth, really, in reality, actually, in fact
archaic forsooth, in sooth, verily
4 archaic Loyally or faithfully: why cannot all masters be served truly?...
- These are public servants who truly serve rather than act as our masters, and inspire us rather than destroy our confidence.
- Only the government has the reach and power to design and oversee a pension system that truly serves all.
- A city that truly serves its people must try to please the largest majority of ordinary citizens.
Phrases
yours truly
Origin
Old English trēowlīce 'faithfully' (see true, -ly2).