true

adjective

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\ 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 Phrases Containing true Learn More About true

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Whether that perception is true may be confirmed next Thursday, when the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness releases results of the count of homeless people taken in February. — Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2022 This is true in the prison and pharmaceutical industries and, now, much of the legal cannabis industry. — Jeffrey Zucker, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2022 If North Korea’s claims of keeping the virus out are true and the country hasn’t launched a vaccination program, almost the entire population have no exposure to Covid whatsoever and are vulnerable to infection. — Robert Hart, Forbes, 13 May 2022 The same is true in Shelby County, an affluent area south of Birmingham. — Ramsey Archibald | Rarchibald@al.com, al, 13 May 2022 Even your most conservative of negative assumptions about both my personal and professional life just aren't true. — Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 13 May 2022 The same is true for places like Columbus, Ohio; Lincoln, Nebraska, and Norman. — Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 13 May 2022 But that doesn’t mean that everything Heard has said isn’t true, Constantine noted. — Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 12 May 2022 Torresani, now 34, only learned recently that this isn't true. — Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, PEOPLE.com, 12 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb This was the second unique compliment of the day, which rang true not only to Kim’s mythology of endless growth and expansion, but also to her whole family’s larger, cross-genre, and inter-disciplinary brand. — Vogue, 22 Apr. 2022 Even Klotz noted his predictions came true faster than anyone expected, let alone him. — Meghan M. Biro, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021 But Valenzuela stuck true to her mission to blend the two cultures. — Tirion Morris, The Arizona Republic, 18 July 2021 These arguments will not convince a true-believing textualist who is uninterested in a law's intent. — Noah Feldman Bloomberg Opinion, Star Tribune, 6 Apr. 2021 Lindt Home of Chocolate in Kilchberg, Switzerland is making dreams come true worldwide with its new grandiose chocolate museum and breathtaking fountain. — Sonia Ramirez, Houston Chronicle, 14 Sep. 2020 The words of former First Lady Michelle Obama rang true to many across America and around the world. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 7 Aug. 2020 But this song’s agenda rings true now more than ever: Check in on your loved ones. — Dallas News, 9 Apr. 2020 The Patriots have earned that distrust, but this time their alibi rings true more than the allegation. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The interactive dinosaur event features dozens of true-to-life size dinosaurs recreated with scales or skin with help from palentologists. — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2022 Scientists struggled to make sense of the creatures, and the sculptures were the first attempt to visualize them in true-to-life size. — CNN, 25 Nov. 2021 Today in Milan, Dua Lipa not only opened and closed the Versace show in true-to-form bombshell fashion, but debuted a surprise hair transformation. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2021 This has dynamic crystal color with a fine crystal layer that reveals millions of true-to-life colors. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 17 Aug. 2021 Dozens of true-to-size robo-dinos will roam the course, tilting their heads, opening their mouths and even appearing to breathe. — Phillip Valys, sun-sentinel.com, 27 Nov. 2020 Isn’t the same true of Padres star Fernando Tatis, Jr.? — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Oct. 2020 Because now more than ever is the time to relax, have fun, and change up your tried and trues. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, 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, 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, 3 Aug. 2017 True the Vote itself has struggled to keep up momentum from the Obama era. — Mark Berman And David Weigel, chicagotribune.com, 30 June 2017 True the Vote itself has struggled to keep up momentum from the Obama era. — Mark Berman, Washington Post, 30 June 2017 See More

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.