TROO-lee
/ˈtɹuli/
truly is pronounced TROO-lee (/ˈtɹuli/). Truly is an adverb meaning 'in fact' or 'indeed,' used to emphasize the sincerity, accuracy, or intensity of a statement. It often expresses genuine belief or certainty and can carry a tone of earnestness or mild surprise. In pronunciation, it is typically two syllables with a /ˈtruː.li/ or /ˈtru.li/ pattern, depending on the speaker.
Truly is an adverb meaning 'in fact' or 'indeed,' used to emphasize the sincerity, accuracy, or intensity of a statement. It often expresses genuine belief or certainty and can carry a tone of earnestness or mild surprise. In pronunciation, it is typically two syllables with a /ˈtruː.li/ or /ˈtru.li/ pattern, depending on the speaker.
"I truly appreciate your help."
"This is truly fascinating work."
"She spoke with truly remarkable clarity."
Pronounce it with two syllables: /ˈtruː.li/ in US/UK, where the first syllable carries primary stress. Begin with /t/ + /r/ cluster, then /uː/ as in 'food,' followed by a light /l/ and a final /i/ as in 'see.' The overall rhythm is a strong first beat, a quick second. If using Australian speech, you’ll often hear a similar pattern with a slightly more centralized vowel in the second syllable. IPA: US/UK /ˈtruː.li/, AU /ˈtɹuː.li/.
Common errors include pronouncing the first syllable as /tɹʌ/ (TRU-lee with short /ʌ/) or flattening the /ː/ so /ˈtru.li/ becomes /ˈtrɔli/. Correction: keep the stressed /uː/ vowel, not a short /ʊ/ or /ɔ/. Ensure the /l/ is light and not merged with the following /i/. Final /i/ should be a clear, lighter vowel rather than a schwa in careful speech; in fast speech you may hear a weaker /i/ or a glide. Finally, avoid merging the two syllables into a single long vowel.
In US and UK, /ˈtruː.li/ with a clear long /uː/ and pronounced /li/. US tends to rhoticize less on /r/ in this word; UK pronunciation features a non-rhotic /r/ and a slightly more open /uː/. Australian tends to be similar to UK but with a subtly higher vowel placement and faster pace; some Australians may use a nearly centering diphthong in /uː/; the /l/ remains light. In all, stress remains on the first syllable; the second syllable is unstressed and shorter.
The difficulty lies in maintaining a clear long /uː/ in the first syllable while keeping a light, precise final /li/. The transition from the rounded /uː/ to the alveolar /l/ and then a crisp /i/ can blur in rapid speech. Learners often shorten the /uː/ or devoarize /li/. Paying attention to mouth shape—rounded lips for /uː/ and a quick release into /li/—helps maintain the two-syllable integrity.
A unique aspect is the long first vowel /uː/ in an unstressed context after a /t/ + /r/ onset, followed by a lightly articulated /li/ in an unstressed second syllable. This creates a brisk, two-beat rhythm that can be easy to blur in casual speech. Experimental tip: exaggerate the /uː/ gently on focus, then relax into natural pace to retain two-syllable integrity.
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Truly derives from Middle English gostaria? actually from Old English Treowlice, from treow “tree, faithful, steadfast” in sense of a faithful, genuine state of being. By the late 14th century, truly appeared as adverbial form meaning ‘in truth’ or ‘genuinely,’ aligning with meanings of fidelity and certainty. The semantic path parallels earlier uses of treow/treu, reflecting honesty and reliability. Over time, pronunciation likely shifted from a two-syllable form with a stronger early stress to the modern two-syllable English adverb with a strong initial syllable and reduced second syllable in fast speech. First known written attestations appear in Middle English glosses and poetry, where authors emphasized truthfulness and earnest emphasis. In modern English, truly maintains this core sense of authenticity, often used to intensify adjectives or verbs (truly amazing, truly sorry) and in fixed phrases (truly, truly).
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Words that rhyme with "truly"
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