true

adjective

\ ˈtrü

truer; truest

Definition of true

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a(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

2a : 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

3a : steadfast, loyal

b : honest, just

c archaic : truthful

4 : legitimate, rightful our true and lawful king

5a : 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

true

adverb

Definition of true (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : in accordance with fact or reality

2a : without deviation the bullet flew straight and true

b : without variation from type breed true

true

noun

Definition of true (Entry 3 of 4)

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

true

verb

trued; trueing also truing

Definition of true (Entry 4 of 4)

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

Other Words from true Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about true

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Examples of true in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adverb

The bullet traveled straight and true.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

But the opposite is true of men and women in poverty. — David Crawshaw, Washington Post, "Angry birds: Swooping Australian magpie causes fatal cyclist crash," 18 Sep. 2019 The same is probably true for nicotine, which, like amphetamine, is also a stimulant, but there are a lot of unknowns. — NBC News, "Vaping 101: What to know about e-cigs, addiction and illnesses," 17 Sep. 2019 But this is also true: Pittsburgh’s offense did nothing in its six quarters under Big Ben this season. — Andy Benoit, SI.com, "Mason Rudolph Has the Tools, But Does He Have the Finesse?," 17 Sep. 2019 Become a course instructor Every class needs an instructor -- and this is especially true for enrichment courses. — Katie Winterburn, San Diego Union-Tribune, "How to find great part-time work in retirement," 16 Sep. 2019 This was especially true for programs on cable, whose monthly costs narrowed its reach to a smaller group of consumers with more expendable income. — Adam Wilson, Harper's magazine, "Good Bad Bad Good," 16 Sep. 2019 That’s especially true in New Orleans, where in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some fans used their FEMA money on Saints season tickets. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: How Saints fans rallied after losing to Rams in NFC title game," 14 Sep. 2019 For Phil Caine, a recovery coach from the Cumbria Drug and Alcohol Service who met Kate and husband Prince William in Keswick, northwest England, in June, that rings true. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, "How ‘Pioneer’ Kate Middleton Is Bringing Addiction and Mental Health ‘Out of the Shadows’," 13 Sep. 2019 In that environment, plaintiff’s lawyers routinely have won big jury awards and settlements in civil court, where the person suing only needs to show at trial that the allegations are more likely true than not to win. — Dan Hinkel, chicagotribune.com, "A hidden cost of Chicago police misconduct: $213 million to private lawyers since 2004," 12 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Clarence E. Hill Jr., star-telegram, "The best sports dynamic duo ever? Try Brady and Belichick," 2 Feb. 2018 This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, "Tom Brady 'earned right' to retire when he wants, says Patriots president," 31 Jan. 2018 This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Clarence E. Hill Jr., star-telegram, "The best sports dynamic duo ever? Try Brady and Belichick," 2 Feb. 2018 This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, "Tom Brady 'earned right' to retire when he wants, says Patriots president," 31 Jan. 2018 This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Clarence E. Hill Jr., star-telegram, "The best sports dynamic duo ever? Try Brady and Belichick," 2 Feb. 2018 This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY, "Tom Brady 'earned right' to retire when he wants, says Patriots president," 31 Jan. 2018 This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Clarence E. Hill Jr., star-telegram, "The best sports dynamic duo ever? Try Brady and Belichick," 2 Feb. 2018 This has been obviously a dream come true many times over. — Clarence E. Hill Jr., star-telegram, "The best sports dynamic duo ever? Try Brady and Belichick," 2 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.