truly

Everyday

1. Really; in a way that is true, sincere and honest: I am truly sorry. tree →
2. Very, completely: a truly amazing day. tree →
3. "Yours truly" is a way to end a formal letter, and also a jokey way to say "me". tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, "truly" makes a feeling stronger and shows you mean it: "I'm truly sorry" is a sincere apology. In letters, "Yours truly" ends a formal letter (mostly American). In stories, "truly" shows something is real, as in "a truly magical place". In science, we ask whether a claim is truly true by testing it. Phrases: "truly sorry", "truly grateful", "yours truly", "really and truly", "well and truly".

Examples

• I am truly sorry I broke your pencil. tree →
• It was a truly beautiful sunset. tree →
• Do you truly believe the moon is made of cheese? tree →
• We were truly grateful for the help. tree →
• The test showed what truly happened. tree →
• Yours truly, Emma Brown. tree →
• The cake was well and truly burnt. tree →
• She was truly happy when her grandma visited. tree →
• “Come,” said the king, “tell me truly. tree →

Note

Spelling trap: "truly" has no e — not "truely", even though it comes from "true". It is an adverb, so it describes adjectives and verbs (truly kind, truly believe). "Truly" and "really" mean much the same, but "truly" sounds more serious or old-fashioned.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life, "truly" makes a feeling stronger and shows you mean it: "I'm truly sorry" is a sincere apology. In letters, "Yours truly" ends a formal letter (mostly American). In stories, "truly" shows something is real, as in "a truly magical place". In science, we ask whether a claim is truly true by testing it. Phrases: "truly sorry", "truly grateful", "yours truly", "really and truly", "well and truly".

Examples

• If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. (Torah GEN.4.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.' (Torah GEN.24.49, JPS 1917) tree →
• D., remarked very truly in his German preface to the book "Yezirah," published in Leipzig, 1830: "This book is for two reasons highly important: in the first place, that the real Cabala, or mystical (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• 'Truly it is I that have established My king upon Zion, My holy mountain.' (Writings PSA.2.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• For truly my words are not false; one that is upright in mind is with thee. (Writings JOB.36.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD; but they that deal truly are His delight. (Writings PRO.12.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling trap: "truly" has no e — not "truely", even though it comes from "true". It is an adverb, so it describes adjectives and verbs (truly kind, truly believe). "Truly" and "really" mean much the same, but "truly" sounds more serious or old-fashioned.