truly

adverb

tru·​ly ˈtrü-lē 

1

: in all sincerity : sincerely

—often used with yours as a complimentary close

2

: in agreement with fact : truthfully

3

a

: indeed

—often used as an intensive

truly, she is fair

or interjectionally to express astonishment or doubt

b

: without feigning, falsity, or inaccuracy in truth or fact

4

: with exactness of construction or operation

5

: in a proper or suitable manner

Synonyms

• even
• indeed
• nay
• verily
• yea

Examples of truly in a Sentence

These truly dark clusters, if they are real, would betray the universe's dirty secret: Big piles of mass don't necessarily come with lights attached. —Robert Irion, Science, 20 June 2003

By the time Columbus arrived, truly large empires existed only in Mexico. —Tim Flannery, New York Review of Books, 12 June 2003

The streets and sidewalks of Bedley Run truly seemed as much mine as any person's, their almost affirming solidity underfoot, bouncing me along on my diurnal way. —Chang-rae Lee, A Gesture Life, 1999

I truly believe they can do it.

He truly enjoyed the concert.

This is truly a different situation.

A country is not truly democratic until all of its citizens can vote freely.

Is this poll truly representative of the voters' intentions?

Recent Examples on the Web

If the aughts was the official thrash revival, today thrash is well and truly resuscitated, with new bands crashing into existence all the time. —Tamlin Magee, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024

But the truly interesting waterways aren’t under your feet—they’re above your head. —Matt Simon, WIRED, 22 Apr. 2024

Beyond her academic pursuits, Mohit's involvement in our school and community is truly commendable. —Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is truly a marvel! —Rudie Obias, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024

Fundraising, loans, programming — if the two institutions were truly independent, those interlocking boards would be ripe for conflicts of interest. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024

This is a truly violent movie, with the spirit of a Hong Kong action film. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024

How is a local police officer supposed to determine if someone in a tent truly has nowhere else to go? —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 22 Apr. 2024

Specializing in Japanese and Belgian designers, this high-end store is truly a collector’s dream. —Emily Chan, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Phrases Containing truly

• yours truly

Kids Definition

truly

adverb

tru·​ly ˈtrü-lē 

: in a true manner