surely

adverb

sure·​ly ˈshu̇r-lē 

ˈshər-,

 especially Southern  ˈshȯr-

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

2

: indeed, really

—often used as an intensive

you surely don't believe that

Sure vs. Surely: Usage Guide

Most commentators consider the adverb sure to be something less than completely standard; surely is usually recommended as a substitute. Our current evidence shows, however, that sure and surely have become differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal contexts than surely. It is used as a simple intensive

I can never know how much I bored her, but, be certain, she sure amused me

—Norman Mailer

and, because it connotes strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.

it's a moot point whether politicians are less venal than in Twain's day. But they're sure as the devil more intrusive

—Alan Abelson

he sure gets them to play

—D. S. Looney

Surely, like sure, is used as a simple intensive

I surely don't want to leave the impression that I had an unhappy childhood

—E. C. Welsh

but it occurs in more formal contexts than sure. Unlike sure it may be used neutrally—the reader or hearer may or may not agree

it would surely be possible, within a few years, to program a computer to construct a grammar

—Noam Chomsky

and it is often used when the writer is trying to persuade.

surely a book on the avant-garde cannot be so conventional

—Karl Shapiro

Synonyms

• certainly
• definitely
• sure
• clearly
• probably

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

The predominantly green design with contrasting swirls of gold, red, and black will surely make its mark in the minds of onlookers. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025

Those words surely thrill Herrmann, who has been coaching tennis or pickleball for 40-plus years. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025

While the 2020 was made in even more limited quantities, the 2021 vintage offers wine lovers the opportunity to get in on the ground floor and start a vertical of what will surely one day be considered one of Tuscany’s finest wines. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 13 July 2025

In recognizing its most famous son, Dolton, Ill., (poverty rate: 20 percent) is surely looking for the revenue potentially associated with future pilgrims. —Howard Husock, National Review, 12 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing surely

• slowly but surely

Rhymes for surely

• demurely
• maturely
• obscurely
• securely
• insecurely
• prematurely
• purely

Kids Definition

surely

adverb

sure·​ly ˈshu̇(ə)r-lē 

1

a

: with confidence

answered quickly and surely

b

: without doubt : certainly

they will surely be heard from again

2

: beyond question : truly

I surely am tired this afternoon