1
: in a sure manner:
a
archaic
: without danger or risk of injury or loss : safely
b(1)
: with assurance : confidently
answered quickly and surely
(2)
: without doubt : certainly
They will surely be heard from in the future.—
R. J. Lifton
R. J. Lifton
Sure vs. Surely: Usage Guide
Sure and surely are both used as simple intensives. Sure is informal and typically used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.
She sure knew how to make me laugh.
That sure was fun.
Surely can occur in formal contexts and is used whether or not agreement is expected.
Surely you jest.
It is often applied when someone is making an effort to persuade.
a book surely worth anyone's time
Examples of surely in a Sentence
She answered quickly and surely.
He will surely be missed.
This is surely the best dessert you have ever made.
Surely you must admit that it was a good decision.
Recent Examples on the Web
If Norris does prevail in 2025’s world title fight too, then his wins in many of the season’s chaotic races will surely have provided an important foundation to his success.
—Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
That said, at least some people have found true love on the apps—why, even New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met his cool artist wife Rama Duwaji on Hinge, meaning that surely not all hope is lost.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Some will surely make that argument.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
The Hollywood of the past is disappearing fast, but something new will surely emerge, something that will transform it once again.
—Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surely
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Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
That said, at least some people have found true love on the apps—why, even New York’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met his cool artist wife Rama Duwaji on Hinge, meaning that surely not all hope is lost.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2025
Some will surely make that argument.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Nov. 2025
The Hollywood of the past is disappearing fast, but something new will surely emerge, something that will transform it once again.
—Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surely
Cite this Entry
“Surely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surely. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surely
adverb
sure·ly
ˈshu̇(ə)r-lē 
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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