English Dictionary |
SURELY
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Dictionary entry overview: What does surely mean?
• SURELY (adverb)
The adverb SURELY has 1 sense:
1. definitely or positively ('sure' is sometimes used informally for 'surely')
Familiarity information: SURELY used as an adverb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Definitely or positively ('sure' is sometimes used informally for 'surely')
Synonyms:
certainly; for certain; for sure; sure; sure as shooting; sure enough; surely
Context example:
sure he'll come
Domain usage:
colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)
Pertainym:
sure (having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured)
Context examples
But surely, Holmes, character goes for something?
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It was surely well for man that he came late in the order of creation.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“You must surely remember the great Worthingdon bank business,” said Holmes.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Surely there must be some rational explanation of all these mysterious things.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
Surely it would not be difficult to find out.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
"But I didn't want a row with Mr. Higginbotham, and that is what would have surely happened."
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
My heart was surely in my eyes for a moment.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Where are you going? said Rose-red; you surely don’t want to go into the water?
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
Surely no wild beast could wish a pleasanter home.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
“Oh surely! surely!” said Mr. Spenlow.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
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