true

1 of 4

adjective

ˈtrü 

truer; truest

1

a(1)

: being in accordance with the actual state of affairs

true description

(2)

: conformable to an essential reality

(3)

: fully realized or fulfilled

dreams come true

b

: ideal, essential

c

: being that which is the case rather than what is manifest or assumed

the true dimension of the problem

d

: consistent

true to character

2

a

: properly so called

true love

the true faith

the true stomach of ruminant mammals

b(1)

: possessing the basic characters of and belonging to the same natural group as

a whale is a true but not a typical mammal

(2)

: typical

the true cats

3

a

: steadfast, loyal

b

: honest, just

c

archaic : truthful

4

: legitimate, rightful

our true and lawful king

5

a

: that is fitted or formed or that functions accurately

b

: conformable to a standard or pattern : accurate

6

: determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles

true north

7

: logically necessary

8

: narrow, strict

in the truest sense

9

: corrected for error

trueness noun

true

2 of 4

adverb

1

: in accordance with fact or reality

2

a

: without deviation

the bullet flew straight and true

b

: without variation from type

breed true

true

3 of 4

noun

1

: truth, reality

—usually used with the

2

: the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment or adjustment)

—used in the phrases in true and out of true

true

4 of 4

verb

trued; trueing also truing

transitive verb

: to make level, square, balanced, or concentric : bring or restore to a desired mechanical accuracy or form

true up a board

true up an engine cylinder

Synonyms

Adjective

• authentic
• bona fide
• certifiable
• certified
• dinkum [Australian & New Zealand]
• echt
• genuine
• honest
• pukka
• pucka
• real
• right
• sure-enough

Examples of true in a Sentence

Adjective

Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false.

If their predictions are true, we'll be in for a long winter.

Is it true that you were planning to go without me?

Jobs are scarce, and that is especially true for managers.

The true cost proved to be much higher than they said it would be.

His true character was revealed.

the true meaning of the term

Adverb

The bullet traveled straight and true.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The movie’s true set pieces are the professorial villain’s ostentatious monologues using fast food, musical plagiarism, and Monopoly as metaphors to point out how modern religions are just conspicuous iterations of what’s come before. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

Overly precocious George jumps from the train to the countryside and, in true Dickensian fashion, encounters some helpful people as well as some unsavory types on his treacherous trek back home. —Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Adverb

O’Connor’s words rang true then and are perhaps even more important now. —Paul S. Coakley, WSJ, 11 July 2022

That same principal holds true more broadly: The US has real material needs that could be met with better infrastructure for transportation, energy, and housing. —Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 23 June 2022

Noun

Nisolo’s take stay trues to the classic slip-on design but makes the style versatile enough to be dressed up and down, for your run to the bodega or date night at your favorite restaurant's outdoor patio. —Men's Health, 17 Feb. 2023

Though it's targeted toward men's facial hair, this dye kit is safe to use on your brows and comes in a wide variety of true-to-you shades. —Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 8 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English trewe, from Old English trēowe faithful; akin to Old High German gitriuwi faithful, Old Irish derb sure, and probably to Sanskrit dāruṇa hard, dāru wood — more at tree entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Noun

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1838, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing true

• come true
• dream come true
• hold true
• one's true/real self
• out of true
• ring true
• show one's true colors
• someone's wish comes true
• the reverse is true
• too good to be true
• tried-and-true
• true believer
• true bill
• true blue
• true bug
• true crime
• true-false test
• true feelings
• true-life
• true lover's knot
• true north
• true porcelain
• true rib
• true seal
• true story
• true to form
• true to life
• true to oneself
• true to one's word

Kids Definition

true

1 of 4 adjective

ˈtrü 

truer; truest

1

: completely loyal : faithful

2

a

: agreeing with the facts : accurate

a true description

b

: consistent sense 2

true to character

3

: fully realized or fulfilled

dreams come true

4

: properly so called : genuine

lichens have no true stems

true love

5

: placed or formed accurately : exact

true pitch

6

: being or holding by right : legitimate

the true owner

true

2 of 4 noun

: the quality or state of being accurate (as in adjustment)

—used in the phrases in true and out of true

true

3 of 4 verb

trued; trueing also truing

: to bring to exactly correct condition as to place, position, or shape

true up a board

true

4 of 4 adverb

1

: in agreement with fact : truthfully

2

: in an accurate manner : accurately

the arrow flew straight and true

3

: without variation from type

breed true