surely

surely
sure|ly
W2S1 [ˈʃo:li US ˈʃurli] adv
1.) [sentence adverb]
used to show that you think something must be true, especially when people seem to be disagreeing with you
▪ You must have heard about the riots, surely?
▪ There must surely be some explanation.
▪ Surely we can't just stand back and let this happen?
2.) surely not
spoken used to show you cannot believe that something is true
▪ 'The chairman's just handed in his resignation.' 'Surely not.'
3.) formal certainly
▪ Such sinners will surely be punished.
4.) AmE old-fashioned used to say 'yes' to someone or to express agreement with them
→slowly but surely at ↑slowly
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WORD CHOICE: surely, definitely, certainly, naturally, be sure to
Use surely to say that you think something must be true, especially when other people do not agree : They should be there by now, surely.
Use definitely to say that something is certain to happen or be true : I will definitely be back (NOT I will surely be back) by ten.
Use certainly to emphasize that something is true : He certainly is (NOT surely is) a great cook.
Use naturally to mean 'as anyone would expect' : They were very late, so naturally I was (NOT surely I was) worried.
Use be sure to to say that something is certain to happen : If you work hard you are sure to succeed (NOT you will surely succeed).
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Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Surely — Sure ly, adv. 1. In a sure or certain manner; certainly; infallibly; undoubtedly; assuredly. [1913 Webster] In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen. ii. 17. [1913 Webster] He that created something out of nothing, surely… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • surely — [shoor′lē] adv. 1. with assurance or confidence; in a sure, unhesitating manner 2. without a doubt; assuredly; certainly: often used as an intensive emphasizing a supposition [surely you don t believe that!] 3. without risk of failing: chiefly in …   English World dictionary

  • surely — index admittedly, fairly (clearly) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • surely — 14c., from SURE (Cf. sure) ( ) + LY (Cf. ly) (2) …   Etymology dictionary

  • surely — [adv] without doubt absolutely, admittedly, assuredly, beyond doubt, beyond shadow of doubt*, certainly, clearly, come what may*, conclusively, decidedly, definitely, distinctly, doubtlessly, evidently, explicitly, fixedly, for certain, for real …   New thesaurus

  • surely — ► ADVERB 1) it must be true that. 2) certainly. 3) with assurance. 4) N. Amer. informal of course …   English terms dictionary

  • surely — adverb 1 (sentence adverb) used to show that you think something must be true, especially when people seem to be disagreeing with you: You must have heard about the riots surely? | There must surely be some explanation. | Surely we can t just… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • surely — [[t]ʃʊ͟ə(r)li[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADV: ADV with cl/group (emphasis) You use surely to emphasize that you think something should be true, and you would be surprised if it was not true. You re an intelligent woman, surely you realize by now that I m… …   English dictionary

  • Surely — Infobox Single Name = Surely Artist = Five Star from Album = Heart and Soul Released = October 10 1995 Format = 7 single, CD single [ Recorded = ] Genre = Pop Length = 4:45 Label = Tent Writer = Doris Pearson, Delroy Pearson Producer = Buster… …   Wikipedia

  • surely — sure|ly [ ʃurli ] adverb ** 1. ) without any doubt: That is surely the stupidest thing I have ever done. 2. ) used for showing that you believe something is very likely: You surely realized we were in when you saw the lights on? Surely she didn t …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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