true

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adjective \ ˈtrü \

Definition of true

truer; truest

1 a (1) :being in accordance with the actual state of affairs

true description

(2) :conformable to an essential reality

(3) :fully realized or fulfilled

dreams come true

b :ideal, essential

c :being that which is the case rather than what is manifest or assumed

the true dimension of the problem

d :consistent

true to character

2 a :properly so called

true love

the true faith

the true stomach of ruminant mammals

b (1) :possessing the basic characters of and belonging to the same natural group as

a whale is a true but not a typical mammal

(2) :typical

the true cats

3 a :steadfast, loyal

b :honest, just

c archaic :truthful

4 :legitimate, rightful

our true and lawful king

5 a :that is fitted or formed or that functions accurately

b :conformable to a standard or pattern :accurate

6 :determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles

true north

7 :logically necessary

8 :narrow, strict

in the truest sense

9 :corrected for error

—

trueness

noun

See true defined for English-language learners

See true defined for kids

Examples of true in a Sentence

Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false.
If their predictions are true, we'll be in for a long winter.
Is it true that you were planning to go without me?
Jobs are scarce, and that is especially true for managers.
The true cost proved to be much higher than they said it would be.
His true character was revealed.
the true meaning of the term

Recent Examples of true from the Web

But fortunately, the true ethos of the Afropunk brand remains unchanged.

— yendi reid, Teen Vogue, "Afropunk 2017 Street Style: See the Photos," 31 Aug. 2017
This, perhaps, is the true lesson of the drift toward executive power over war and peace: Congress doesn’t really want its war power back.

— garrett epps, The Atlantic, "Trump Doesn't Have the Authority to Attack North Korea Without Congress," 30 Aug. 2017
And while that may be true, members of the media should be more aware when reporting — in this case recognizing the obvious trauma that comes with losing your home and being stranded for days — before nudging for more information.

— christina coleman, Essence.com, "Harvey Survivor Who Criticized CNN Anchor Isn't Just 'Upset,' She's Traumatized And Exhausted," 30 Aug. 2017
Thus the legal standard involved was whether the plaintiffs had standing to sue and a compelling claim to make if everything in its original complaint were true.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Vote-Rigging Suit Against DNC Dropped, Mostly Because The DNC Can’t Rig Much of Anything," 30 Aug. 2017
MPD worked in true collaboration with DOJ consultants to rectify these errors.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
A true public option would offer government coverage to those of any age.

— julie rovner, Kaiser Health News, "5 Outside-The-Box Ideas For Fixing The Individual Insurance Market," 30 Aug. 2017
This series will be shot with a true behind-the-scenes feel.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Alvarez-Golovkin ready for real fight," 29 Aug. 2017
Rounding out the position are true freshmen Jake Allen and Kadarius Toney along with redshirt freshman Kyle Trask.

— ethan bauer, miamiherald, "The 2017 Florida Gators: Position by position," 29 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'true.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of true

Middle English trewe, from Old English trēowe faithful; akin to Old High German gitriuwi faithful, Old Irish derb sure, and probably to Sanskrit dāruṇa hard, dāru wood — more at ¹tree

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First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

true Synonyms

Synonyms

bona fide, certifiable, certified, dinkum [Australian & New Zealand], echt, genuine, honest, pukka (also pucka), real, right, sure-enough, authentic

Antonyms

bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony (also phoney), pseudo, sham, spurious, suppositious, supposititious, unauthentic, unreal

Near Antonyms

artificial, factitious, imitation, man-made, simulated, synthetic, unnatural; concocted, fabricated, manufactured; deceptive, delusive, delusory, misleading

true

adverb

Definition of true

1 :in accordance with fact or reality

2 a :without deviation

the bullet flew straight and true

b :without variation from type

breed true

See true defined for English-language learners

Examples of true in a Sentence

The bullet traveled straight and true.

First Known Use of true

14th century

true

noun

Definition of true

1 :truth, reality —usually used with the

2 :the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment or adjustment) —used in the phrases in true and out of true

See true defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of true from the Web

Because now more than ever is the time to relax, have fun, and change up your tried and trues.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "Your Beauty Summer Hit List Is Here," 12 June 2017
Alas, Crosby’s rock ‘n’ roll dream-come-true was soon marred by drug addiction, which in turn led to him contracting AIDS.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Robbin Crosby of San Diego-bred band Ratt died 15 years ago at 42," 7 June 2017

First Known Use of true

1531

true

verb

Definition of true

trued; trueing also truing

transitive verb

:to make level, square, balanced, or concentric :bring or restore to a desired mechanical accuracy or form

true up a board

true up an engine cylinder

Recent Examples of true from the Web

That’s true more broadly, as well, in part because of how the issue has been litigated.

— alia wong, The Atlantic, "The Thorny Relationship Between Asians and Affirmative Action," 3 Aug. 2017
True the Vote itself has struggled to keep up momentum from the Obama era.

— mark berman and david weigel, chicagotribune.com, "Trump's voter fraud panel gets pushback after asking states for election data," 30 June 2017
True the Vote itself has struggled to keep up momentum from the Obama era.

— mark berman, Washington Post, "Trump’s voting commission asked states to hand over election data. Some are pushing back.," 30 June 2017

First Known Use of true

1838

TRUE Defined for English Language Learners

true

adverb

Definition of true for English Language Learners

: in a straight line

true

noun

Definition of true for English Language Learners

: the quality or state of being straight, flat, even, etc.

TRUE Defined for Kids

true

play

adjective \ ˈtrü \

Definition of true for Students

truer; truest

1 :agreeing with the facts :accurate

a true story

2 :completely loyal :faithful

You are a true friend.

3 :consistent or in accordance with

The movie is true to the book.

4 :properly so called :genuine

Mosses have no true seeds.

5 :placed or formed accurately :exact

true pitch

6 :being or holding by right :legitimate

the true owner

7 :fully realized or fulfilled

It's a dream come true.

true

adverb

Definition of true for Students

1 :in agreement with fact :truthfully

She speaks true.

2 :in an accurate manner :accurately

The arrow flew straight and true.

true

noun

Definition of true for Students

:the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment)

The door is out of true.

true

verb

Definition of true for Students

trued; trueing also truing

:to bring to exactly correct condition as to place, position, or shape

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true

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true

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true

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true

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