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

And 22 percent of Americans surveyed believe that marijuana is not at all addictive, which is not true. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Government bans on pot research have created room for marijuana health hype," 6 Nov. 2018 That’s all true in general, but getting more specific, SanDisk’s drive a great one. — Alexandria Haslam, PCWorld, "The spacious 1TB SanDisk Ultra SSD is one of the best drives you can buy, and it's cheaper than ever," 31 Oct. 2018 And what sort of information can our senses glean about the true nature of reality? — Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, "How Quantum Mechanics Lets Us See, Smell and Touch," 24 Oct. 2018 The celebrations in the streets enacted that sense of possibility, with all the groups mixing together in an ebullient embrace, the French flag speaking the stories of players such as Zidane and Thuram as the true story of the country. — Laurent Dubois, The Atlantic, "France’s Ghosts Return for the World Cup," 14 July 2018 In January of 2012, Hailey started the new year off the way any true Jelena shipper would, and that's by praising the celeb couple for being their amazing selves. — Alison Caporimo, Seventeen, "Hailey Baldwin Was A Massive Jelena Shipper Before She Got Engaged to Justin Bieber," 10 July 2018 But no one will ever know if that's true because Detective Benton never requested a toxicology report. — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, "Was alleged rape and shooting death investigation influenced by reality TV cameras?," 30 June 2018 Kroger warns that consumers should not provide any personal information to try to get their hands on what looks like a too-good-to-be-true discount. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Amazon Prime Day: Gift cards, coupons and other scams to watch for," 14 July 2018 One thought on that tournament: Every player should have a maximum of eight minutes to play every hole to honor Rocket Mortgage’s tried-and-true method of approving mortgages in eight minutes. — Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, "FORE Questions: Breaking Down the New PGA Tour Schedule," 12 July 2018

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.