First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1true
adjective \ˈtrü\
: agreeing with the facts : not false
: real or genuine
: having all the expected or necessary qualities of a specifed type of person or thing
tru·ertru·est
Full Definition of TRUE
2
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>
3
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>
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
9
: corrected for error
— true·ness noun
See true defined for English-language learners
See true defined for kids
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Origin of TRUE
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
Related to TRUE
- Synonyms
- bona fide, certifiable, certified, dinkum [Australian & New Zealand], echt, genuine, honest, pukka (also pucka), real, right, sure-enough, authentic
- Antonyms
- bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony (also phoney), pseudo, sham, spurious, suppositious, supposititious, unauthentic, unreal
Rhymes with TRUE
blue, boo, brew, chew, clew, clue, coo, coup, crew, cue, dew, do, doux, due, ewe, few, flu, flue, fou, glue, gnu, goo, hew, hue, Jew, Koo, lieu, loo, mew, moo, moue, mu, new, nu, ooh, pew, phew, pooh, q, queue, roux, rue, screw, shoe, shoo, shrew, Sioux, skew, slew, slough, slue, smew, sou, sous, spew, sprue, stew, strew, sue, Sue, thew, through, to, too, two, u, view, whew, who, woo, xu, yew, you, zoo
2true
adverb
: in a straight line
Full Definition of TRUE
1
: in accordance with fact or reality
2
a : without deviation <the bullet flew straight and true> b : without variation from type <breed true>
See true defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TRUE
14th century
3true
noun
: the quality or state of being straight, flat, even, etc.
Full Definition of TRUE
2
: the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment or adjustment) —used in the phrases in true and out of true
See true defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TRUE
circa 1536
4true
transitive verb
truedtrue·ing also tru·ing
Definition of TRUE
: 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>
First Known Use of TRUE
1841
TRUE Defined for Kids
1true
adjective \ˈtrü\
tru·ertru·est
Definition of TRUE for Kids
1
: agreeing with the facts : accurate <a true story>
2
: completely loyal : faithful <You are a true friend.>
3
: consistent or in accordance with <The movie is true to the book.>
4
: properly so called : genuine <Mosses have no true seeds.>
5
: placed or formed accurately : exact <true pitch>
6
: being or holding by right : legitimate <the true owner>
7
: fully realized or fulfilled <It's a dream come true.>
2true
adverb
Definition of TRUE for Kids
1
: in agreement with fact : truthfully <She speaks true.>
2
: in an accurate manner : accurately <The arrow flew straight and true.>
3true
noun
Definition of TRUE for Kids
: the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment) <The door is out of true.>
4true
verb
truedtrue·ing also tru·ing
Definition of TRUE for Kids
: to bring to exactly correct condition as to place, position, or shape
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