surely

adverb

sure·​ly ˈshu̇r-lē How to pronounce surely (audio)
ˈshər-,
 especially Southern  ˈshȯr-
1
: in a sure manner:
a
archaic : without danger or risk of injury or loss : safely
b(1)
: with assurance : confidently
answered quickly and surely
(2)
: without doubt : certainly
they will surely be heard from in the futureR. J. Lifton
2
: indeed, really
often used as an intensive
you surely don't believe that
Sure vs. Surely: Usage Guide

Most commentators consider the adverb sure to be something less than completely standard; surely is usually recommended as a substitute. Our current evidence shows, however, that sure and surely have become differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal contexts than surely. It is used as a simple intensive

I can never know how much I bored her, but, be certain, she sure amused me Norman Mailer

and, because it connotes strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.

it's a moot point whether politicians are less venal than in Twain's day. But they're sure as the devil more intrusive Alan Abelson
he sure gets them to play D. S. Looney

Surely, like sure, is used as a simple intensive

I surely don't want to leave the impression that I had an unhappy childhood E. C. Welsh

but it occurs in more formal contexts than sure. Unlike sure it may be used neutrally—the reader or hearer may or may not agree

it would surely be possible, within a few years, to program a computer to construct a grammar Noam Chomsky

and it is often used when the writer is trying to persuade.

surely a book on the avant-garde cannot be so conventional Karl Shapiro

Examples of surely in a Sentence

She answered quickly and surely. He will surely be missed. This is surely the best dessert you have ever made. Surely you must admit that it was a good decision.
Recent Examples on the Web If governments can afford to cut taxes that deeply, surely there are more pro-growth places to cut. Jared Walczak, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024 Today that number is surely larger based on its explosive popularity. Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 In ways that will surely prompt a few winces of viewer recognition, that phone is Angela’s closest companion. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 Fit & Flare Tie-Back Dress $64 (Pact) Another hit from Pact, this Fit & Flare Tie-Back Dress could surely be a staple of your warm-weather wardrobe. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024 Open water swimming surely presents more challenges than lap swimming in a pool. Marisa Petrarca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 In a moment when an essay about Israel can be pulled from literary magazines and an Oscar speech sparks an open letter, surely parts of this special will prove polarizing. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Also, a portion of the higher taxes collected from corporations will surely be passed on to consumers. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 For America’s future, Donald Trump is surely the greatest threat in my adult lifetime. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of surely was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near surely

Cite this Entry

“Surely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surely. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

surely

adverb
sure·​ly ˈshu̇(ə)r-lē How to pronounce surely (audio)
1
a
: with confidence
answered quickly and surely
b
: without doubt : certainly
they will surely be heard from again
2
: beyond question : truly
I surely am tired this afternoon

More from Merriam-Webster on surely

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