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true

- definition

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90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

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The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

adjective

/tru/

adjective	true
comparative	truer
superlative	truest

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

more dictionary definitions

See also
Expressing yourself
Expressing yourself

1
based on facts or things that really happen, and not made up
The film is based on a true story.
They used to guarantee housing for all workers, but that's no longer true.
be/hold true (for someone/something):
The students are excited and the same holds true for their teachers.
true of someone/something:
It rains a lot in the northwest, and that is especially true of Vancouver.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
1. a.
  used for admitting that something is true, although you think that something else is also true and is more important
  Well, true, he is rich, but is he happy?
  True, I guess I've never thought about it like that.
  it's true (that):
  It's true that my car cost a lot, but it's a good investment.
  that may/might be true, but:
  "They say they are spending record amounts on public education." "Well, that may be true, but there are still shortages of teachers."
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
2
[only before noun] real or actual, especially when compared with how something seems to be
Lara never shows her true feelings.
The study shows that the true cost of nuclear energy is much higher than most people think.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
3
[only before noun] a true friend, leader, etc., or true love, happiness, etc., has the qualities that you would expect that type of person or thing to have
Lynn has always been a true friend to me.
Curry was a true champion in every sense.
Nelson has a true passion for literature.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
4
[never before noun] if you are true to someone or something, you continue to be loyal to them or support them despite anything that happens
true to:
I will always be true to you.
remain/stay true (to someone/something):
Through the years, Doug remained true to his family.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
5
[never before noun] completely straight, upright, or level
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true

phrases

someone's aim is true
literary
if someone's aim is true, they can throw or shoot something so that it goes exactly where they want it to go
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
(all/only) too true
used for saying that something is true when you wish that it was not
Sadly the rumor is all too true.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
someone never said a truer word
used for saying that you agree completely with what someone has just said
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
(there's) many a true word spoken in jest
used for saying that what someone says as a joke may in fact be correct or accurate
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
someone's true colors
someone's real personality, especially when it has unpleasant or bad qualities
He didn't show his true colors until they made him chairman.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
true to form/type
used for saying that someone is doing exactly what you expected because this is what they usually do
True to form, Tony asked to borrow some more money.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
true to life
if a story, movie, book, etc. is true to life, it is similar to what really happens in people's lives
The characters in this novel are so true to life.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true
true to your word/promise
doing exactly what you said you would do
True to his promise, Brian called me the next day.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of true

See also

come¹

Expressing yourself: true

Ways of emphasizing that something is true

Actually	used for saying what is really true, when this is different from what people think
There's no denying	used for saying that something is clearly true, even if you would prefer it not to be true
No doubt about it/There's no two ways about it	used for saying that something is definitely true
The fact remains (that)/The fact is	used for saying that something is still true despite what people have said or done
Let's face it/The truth is/There's no escaping the fact that	used before saying something that people might not want to accept, although it is true
Believe (you) me	used for emphasizing that you are telling the truth, especially when you are warning someone about something
You'd better believe it	used when talking to someone you know well, for emphasizing that what you are saying is true and they should take it seriously
I promise (you)/Take my word for it	used for emphasizing that what you are saying is completely true, even if it seems hard to believe or accept

Examples:

People often think those two are sisters, but actually, they're not even related.

There's no denying Anthony is the best person for the job.

There's no two ways about it, the best team won. ♦ We're going to need to borrow some money, no doubt about it.

You can can cry and scream at him all you want, but the fact remains, he's gone and he's never coming back. ♦ The fact is, she lied about her qualifications when she applied for the job.

Let's face it, we're getting too old for all these parties and concerts. ♦ The truth is, I just don't love you any more. ♦ There's no escaping the fact that your sister is prettier than you.

Believe me, there will be hard times ahead if we don't act now.

"Are you really going to quit your job and sail around the world?" "You'd better believe it!"

Take my word for it, you're better off without him – he wasn't good enough for you.

Expressing yourself: true

Ways of emphasizing that something is not true

Don't you believe it	an informal way of emphasizing to someone that something is not true
Where did you get that idea?	an informal way of telling someone that what they think is definitely not true
Nothing could be further from the truth	used for emphasizing that something is definitely not true
There must be some mistake	used for saying that you think what someone has said is not true or that you are being wrongly accused of something
I wish/If only	an informal way of saying that something is not true, although you would be happy if it were true

Examples:

"I'm sure he'll be here soon." "Don't you believe it! He never had any intention of coming."

"I hear you're going to a new school." "Where did you get that idea?"

They think I'm rich and successful, but nothing could be further from the truth.

"Jimmy won't be at the meeting – he's on vacation this week." "There must be some mistake, I saw him just a minute ago."

"Is it true you're going out with Haley?" "I wish!"

This is the American English definition of true. View British English definition of true.

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true

What are red words?

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phrases

someone's aim is true

(all/only) too true

someone never said a truer word

(there's) many a true word spoken in jest

someone's true colors

true to form/type

true to life

true to your word/promise

charticle

Word of the Day

tweet

never event