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

• all right
• alright
• assuredly
• certainly
• clearly
• definitely
• doubtless
• easily
• forsooth
• hands down
• inarguably
• incontestably
• incontrovertibly
• indeed
• indisputably
• plainly
• really
• so
• sure
• truly
• unarguably
• undeniably
• undoubtedly
• unquestionably

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

Brigitte Macron’s life story surely provides plenty of material for a TV series. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024

Plus, the headlining sets from Doja Cat, Lana Del Rey, and Tyler, the Creator surely did not disappoint. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2024

Although his father won’t be in attendance, his mom, Melania, surely will be. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024

Bieber’s performance will surely send Beliebers into a frenzy, and renew hope for more live dates in the wake of his health problems, which contributed to the cancelation of his 2022 Justice World Tour. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024

That’s because the protagonist is relating his story to a Vietnamese interrogator, recounting a journey that includes the fall of Saigon, fleeing the country – in what’s surely the show’s most harrowing sequence – and his curious adventures in the US. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024

Butler’s less famous teammates surely do draw confidence from their on-court leader, but their sudden ability to hit three-point shots during the playoffs may also have been a random gift from the basketball gods. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2024

He’s quickly become the local favorite, fans surely appreciating his constant sense of calm and refusal to engage in controversy. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

The number of affected Americans will surely grow as the EPA publishes quarterly updates to its data. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing surely

• slowly but surely

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