1 true
/ˈtruː/
adjective
truer;
truest
1 true
/ˈtruː/
adjective
truer;
truest
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRUE
[also more true; most true]
1
:
agreeing with the facts
:
not false
-
a true description/statement
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Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false.
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Their fears proved (to be) true. [=turned out to be valid]
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If their predictions are true, we'll be in for a long winter.
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Is it true that you were planning to go without me?
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Jobs are scarce, and that is especially true for managers.
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He can be stubborn, but that is true of many people. [=many people can be stubborn]
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This is a true story. [=an account of something that really happened]
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The same holds true [=is valid] for/in all similar situations.
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2
always used before a noun
:
real or genuine
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The true cost proved to be much higher than they said it would be.
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His true character/nature was revealed.
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the true meaning of the term
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She let him know her true feelings. [=the way she really felt]
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3
:
having all the expected or necessary qualities of a specified type of person or thing
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He's a true artist/expert. [=he is truly an artist/expert]
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a true gentleman
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From the moment they met they knew it was true love. [=knew that their love was strong and lasting]
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4
:
completely loyal or faithful
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I am your true servant.
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true friends
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— often + to
-
He's always been true to his wife.
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5
:
placed or done correctly or perfectly
:
without error
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His aim was true. [=he hit the target]
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6
always used before a noun
:
rightful, legal, or official
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She is the car's true [=lawful, legitimate] owner.
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7
:
exact and accurate
:
faithful
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The story is a true depiction of life in a small town.
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— often + to
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The movie is true to the book. [=the story told in the movie closely matches the story told in the book]
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8
— used to admit that something is correct or true
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True, prices are rising, but I'm not convinced that the economy is failing.
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“It would cost a lot less if we did it ourselves.” “(That's) True.”
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9
not used before a noun,
technical
:
in a position that is exactly straight, flat, even, etc.
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If the cabinet doors are true, they will close tightly.
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come true
:
to become real
:
to happen in the way that you wished or dreamed
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Everything we hoped for came true.
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Their prediction seems to be coming true.
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The trip abroad was a dream come true for her. [=it was something that she really wanted to do and that actually happened]
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show your true colors
— see 1color
too good to be true
— see 1good
true believer
:
someone who is completely and often foolishly loyal to a person or an idea
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She is a true believer in the cause.
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true to form
— see 1form
true to life
:
realistic and natural
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The author presents the characters in a way that feels very true to life.
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true to yourself
:
acting in a way that agrees with your beliefs or values
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He's always true to himself. [=he always does what he thinks is right]
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true to your word
:
doing what you said you would do
:
keeping your promise
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He said he would help, and he was true to his word.
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— see also tried-and-true
2 true
/ˈtruː/
adverb
2 true
/ˈtruː/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRUE
:
in a straight line
-
The bullet traveled straight and true.
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3 true
/ˈtruː/
noun
3 true
/ˈtruː/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRUE
[noncount]
:
the quality or state of being straight, flat, even, etc.
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The door is slightly out of true. [=is not in its correct position]
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