different between truly vs indubitably

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

English

Etymology

indubitable +? -ly

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?n?dju?.b?.t?.bli/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?n?du.b?.t?.bli/, /?n?dju.b?.t?.bli/

Adverb

indubitably (comparative more indubitably, superlative most indubitably)

1. In a manner that leaves no possibility of doubt; undoubtedly.

Usage notes

Currently particularly used as a humorous interjection, particularly in American English, and seen as somewhat affected, if not outright haughty or campy. Compare this use by comedy cartoon Goofy Gophers (US, 1947–65).

Synonyms

• undoubtably, undoubtedly, unquestionably, doubtlessly, assuredly, certainly, sure thing, without a doubt

Related terms

• indubitable

Translations

References

• indubitably in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• “indubitably” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.