different between definitely vs truly

English

Etymology

definite +? -ly

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?d?f.?n?t.li/, /?d?f.?n?t.li/, /?d?f.n?t.li/

Adverb

definitely (comparative more definitely, superlative most definitely)

1. Without question and beyond doubt.

   She said she wasn't coming, definitely.

2. In a definite manner; decisively.
   • 1912, Joseph Conrad, A Personal Record Chapter IV

     It was really impossible on board that ship to get away definitely from Almayer

   • 1916, Claud Field (translator), Nikolai Gogol, The Nose, (1836)

     And the Nose definitely turned away.

   • 2003, Herbert Mitgang, Once Upon a Time in New York (page 187)

     And these Elders were men of good standing in that community, and they swore definitely before the counsel that this lady committed this impropriety, and there was nobody to gainsay that, except the lady herself, […]

Translations

See also

• definitively
• absolutely

English

Alternative forms

• trooly (obsolete)
• truely (archaic)
• trully (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English truely, treuly, treuli, trewely, treoweliche, treowliche, from Old English tr?owl??e (“faithfully; truly”), equivalent to true +? -ly. Cognate with Dutch trouwelijk, Middle Low German truwlike, German treulich, Swedish trolig, Icelandic trygglega.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?t?u?li/
• Rhymes: -u?li

Adverb

truly (comparative trulier or more truly, superlative truliest or most truly)

1. (manner) In accordance with the facts; truthfully, accurately.
   • 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.27:

     He adds, very truly, that what was fatal to such philosophies as his was not Christianity but the Copernican theory.

2. (modal) Honestly, genuinely, in fact, really.

   That is truly all I know.

   Truly, that is all I know.

3. (degree) Very.

   You are truly silly.

Synonyms

• (truthfully, accurately): frankly, sincerely; see also Thesaurus:honestly
• (in fact, really): in point of fact, literally; see also Thesaurus:actually
• (very): extremely, exceedingly; see also Thesaurus:very

Derived terms

• untruly
• well and truly

Translations

Anagrams

• Lurty