English Dictionary |
TRUE (truer, truest)
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
IPA (US): |
Dictionary entry overview: What does true mean?
• TRUE (noun)
The noun TRUE has 1 sense:
1. proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment
Familiarity information: TRUE used as a noun is very rare.
• TRUE (adjective)
The adjective TRUE has 12 senses:
1. consistent with fact or reality; not false
2. accurately placed or thrown
3. devoted (sometimes fanatically) to a cause or concept or truth
4. expressing or given to expressing the truth
5. conforming to definitive criteria
6. worthy of being depended on
7. not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
9. determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles
10. having a legally established claim
11. in tune; accurate in pitch
Familiarity information: TRUE used as an adjective is familiar.
• TRUE (verb)
The verb TRUE has 1 sense:
1. make level, square, balanced, or concentric
Familiarity information: TRUE used as a verb is very rare.
• TRUE (adverb)
The adverb TRUE has 1 sense:
Familiarity information: TRUE used as an adverb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Context example:
out of true
Hypernyms ("true" is a kind of...):
alignment (the spatial property possessed by an arrangement or position of things in a straight line or in parallel lines)
Derivation:
true (make level, square, balanced, or concentric)
Declension: comparative and superlative |
Sense 1
Meaning:
Consistent with fact or reality; not false
Context example:
the true meaning of the statement
Similar:
actual; genuine; literal; real (being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something)
apodeictic; apodictic (of a proposition; necessarily true or logically certain)
truthful (conforming to truth)
sure (infallible or unfailing)
Also:
correct; right (free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth)
faithful (steadfast in affection or allegiance)
echt; genuine (not fake or counterfeit)
honest; honorable (not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent)
sincere (open and genuine; not deceitful)
Attribute:
the true; trueness; truth; verity (conformity to reality or actuality)
Antonym:
false (not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality)
Derivation:
trueness (conformity to reality or actuality)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Accurately placed or thrown
Synonyms:
dead on target; true
Context example:
he was dead on target
Similar:
accurate (conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy)
Derivation:
trueness (exactness of adjustment)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Devoted (sometimes fanatically) to a cause or concept or truth
Context example:
true believers bonded together against all who disagreed with them
Similar:
faithful (steadfast in affection or allegiance)
Derivation:
trueness (the quality of being loyal)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Expressing or given to expressing the truth
Synonyms:
true; truthful
Context example:
a truthful person
Similar:
honest (marked by truth)
veracious (habitually speaking the truth)
Also:
honest; honorable (not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Conforming to definitive criteria
Context example:
Pythagoras was the first true mathematician
Similar:
typical (exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Worthy of being depended on
Synonyms:
dependable; honest; reliable; true
Context example:
I would be true for there are those who trust me
Similar:
trustworthy; trusty (worthy of trust or belief)
Derivation:
trueness (the quality of being loyal)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
Synonyms:
Context example:
true grief
Similar:
sincere (open and genuine; not deceitful)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Rightly so called
Context example:
a true friend
Similar:
real (no less than what is stated; worthy of the name)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles
Context example:
true north is geographic north
Similar:
geographic; geographical (determined by geography)
Sense 10
Meaning:
Having a legally established claim
Synonyms:
Context example:
the true and lawful king
Similar:
legitimate (of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful)
Sense 11
Meaning:
In tune; accurate in pitch
Synonyms:
on-key; true
Context example:
a true note
Similar:
harmonious (musically pleasing)
Sense 12
Meaning:
Accurately fitted; level
Synonyms:
straight; true
Context example:
the window frame isn't quite true
Similar:
even (being level or straight or regular and without variation as e.g. in shape or texture; or being in the same plane or at the same height as something else (i.e. even with))
Conjugation: |
Past simple: trued
Past participle: trued
-ing form: truing
Sense 1
Meaning:
Make level, square, balanced, or concentric
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
true; true up
Context example:
true up the cylinder of an engine
Hypernyms (to "true" is one way to...):
adjust; align; aline; line up (place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
true (proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment)
Sense 1
Meaning:
As acknowledged
Synonyms:
admittedly; avowedly; confessedly; true
Context example:
true, she is the smartest in her class
Context examples
Also, he was afraid of Karduk, for he knew him for no true man.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be true to Hosmer.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“What he says is true,” said Carruthers.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It was too good, too good to be true.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Only think that we, your true friends, are round you, and that we pray for you all the time.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
"It's too strong for the magazines. But it's true, on my word it's true."
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
The same is true if you have zero or one degree of Libra rising.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
Gentlemen, my plan is broken up:—what this lawyer and his client say is true: I have been married, and the woman to whom I was married lives!
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
All that you say is perfectly true.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
"On my word, Mother, I haven't! I never saw that note before, and don't know anything about it, as true as I live!" said Jo, so earnestly that they believed her.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Learn English with... Proverbs |
"You already possess everything necessary to become great." (Native American proverb, Crow)
"Your son is like how you raised him. And your husband is like how you trained him." (Arabic proverb)
"Money sticks to another money." (Croatian proverb)