True — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb noun verb /ˈtrü/

Meaning & Definition of True

True (adjective)

  1. being in accordance with the actual state of affairs
  2. conformable to an essential reality
  3. fully realized or fulfilled

True (adverb)

  1. in accordance with fact or reality
  2. without deviation
  3. without variation from type

True (noun)

  1. truth, reality —usually used with the
  2. the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment or adjustment) —used in the phrases in true and out of true

True (verb)

  1. to make level, square, balanced, or concentric, bring or restore to a desired mechanical accuracy or form

True (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being exactly as appears or as claimed

    "his claim that he's the heir to the throne of Greece can't be true"

    similar: authentic, bona fide, certifiable, certified, dinkum (Australian & New Zealand), echt, genuine, honest, pukka, real, right, sure-enough, for real
    related: actual, historical, original, lawful, legal, legitimate, identifiable, recognizable, verifiable, proven, substantiated, validated, verified, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefutable, undeniable, undoubted, unmistakable, unquestionable, veritable, very, accurate, correct, proper, pure, unadulterated, unalloyed
    opposite: bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony, pseudo, sham, spurious, suppositious, supposititious, unauthentic, unreal
    near: artificial, factitious, imitation, man-made, simulated, synthetic, unnatural, concocted, fabricated, manufactured, deceptive, delusive, delusory, misleading

  2. being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard

    "if that is true, then we can't get in without a key"

    similar: accurate, bang on (chiefly British), correct, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, proper, right, so, spot-on, veracious, on target, on the money
    related: legitimate, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect, rigorous, strict, stringent
    opposite: false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong
    near: defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

  3. existing in fact and not merely as a possibility

    "the true scope of this environmental problem is far greater than anyone imagined"

    similar: actual, concrete, de facto, effective, existent, factual, genuine, real, sure-enough, very
    related: attested, authenticated, confirmed, demonstrated, established, proven, substantiated, valid, validated, verified, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, inescapable, irrefutable, undeniable, unquestionable, believable, convincing, literal, realistic, unmistakable, verifiable, authentic, bona fide, real-life, real-world, absolute, certain, final, hard, objective, palpable, positive, substantial, tangible, authoritative, certifiable, certified
    opposite: conjectural, hypothetical, ideal, inexistent, nonexistent, platonic, possible, potential, suppositional, theoretical
    near: alleged, assumed, reputed, supposed, conceived, envisaged, envisioned, imagined, pictured, visualized, chimerical, fabled, fanciful, fictional, fictitious, illusory, legendary, fabricated, fake, imaginary, invented, made-up, make-believe, pretend, romantic, abstract, symbolic, unreal, virtual

  4. firm in one's allegiance to someone or something

    "he will be true to his word"

    similar: constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, good, loyal, pious, staunch, steadfast, steady, true-blue
    related: dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, determined, intent, resolute, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, gung ho, impassioned, passionate, serious
    opposite: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue
    near: irresponsible, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering, dubious, irresolute, shaky, uncertain, apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested

  5. following an original exactly

    "it's not a true reproduction of the painting because the original is much larger"

    similar: accurate, authentic, exact, faithful, precise, right, strict, veracious
    related: lifelike, realistic, careful, conscientious, meticulous, punctilious, scrupulous, authoritative, bona fide, genuine, real, veridical
    opposite: corrupt, corrupted, false, imprecise, inaccurate, inauthentic, inexact, loose, unfaithful
    near: careless, slack, slipshod, slovenly, erroneous, incorrect, invalid, off, unsound, untrue, untruthful, wrong

  6. free from any intent to deceive or impress others

    "may our love for one another always be true"

    similar: artless, genuine, guileless, honest, ingenuous, innocent, naive, natural, real, simple, sincere, unaffected, unpretending, unpretentious, on the level
    related: childlike, dewy-eyed, gee-whiz, impressionable, inexperienced, malleable, persuadable, persuasible, simpleminded, unsophisticated, unworldly, wide-eyed, spontaneous, unforced, unstudied, candid, direct, frank, free, free-spoken, open, openhearted, plain, plainspoken, single-minded, straight, straightforward, unguarded, trustful, trusting, exploitable, gullible, susceptible, unwary
    opposite: affected, artful, artificial, assuming, dishonest, dissembling, dissimulating, fake, false, guileful, insincere, phony, pretentious
    near: critical, cynical, mistrustful, skeptical, suspicious, wary, cosmopolitan, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise, civilized, cultivated, cultured, polished, refined, crooked, deceitful, deceptive, devious, double-dealing, hypocritical, manipulative, two-faced, arch, calculating, canny, crafty, cunning, designing, foxy, knavish, scheming, sharp, shifty, shrewd, slick, slippery, sly, subtle, tricky, underhanded, wily, flattering, mealymouthed, smooth, sycophantic, unctuous, feigned, forced, strained

  7. restricted to or based on fact

    "that news story is completely true, for the station released a list of its sources to back it up"

    similar: documentary, factual, hard, historical, literal, matter-of-fact, nonfictional, objective
    related: actual, authentic, bona fide, genuine, real, right, documented, established, confirmable, reliable, supportable, sustainable, verifiable, demonstrable, provable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, irrefutable, undeniable, unquestionable, plain, simple, certain, undoubted
    opposite: fictional, fictionalized, fictitious, nondocumentary, nonfactual, nonhistorical, unhistorical
    near: hypothetical, speculative, theoretical, apocryphal, unauthentic, undocumented, chimerical, fabulous, fanciful, fantastic, imaginary, imagined, invented, legendary, made-up, make-believe, mythical, pretend, embroidered, exaggerated, insupportable, unsupportable

  8. worthy of one's trust

    "a true friend when you need one"

    similar: calculable, dependable, good, reliable, responsible, safe, secure, solid, steady, sure, tried, tried-and-true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty
    related: constant, devoted, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, true-blue, honest, sincere, single-minded, infallible, unerring, bedrock, firm, sound, strong, effective, telling, attested, authenticated, confirmed, proven, valid, validated, verified, blameless, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inerrant, irreproachable, unimpeachable, unquestionable
    opposite: dodgy (chiefly British), uncertain, undependable, unreliable, unsafe, untrustworthy
    near: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue, deceitful, dishonest, lying, mendacious, untruthful, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, fishy, problematic, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, uncertain, unsound, hazardous, risky, unconfirmed, untried

  9. having or showing the qualities associated with the members of a particular group or kind

    "paleontologists are still debating whether the fossil is that of a true dinosaur or a precursor"

    similar: archetypal, average, characteristic, normal, regular, representative, standard, typical
    related: common, commonplace, conventional, customary, everyday, ordinary, usual, wonted, workaday, classic, textbook, vintage, expected, familiar, habitual, predictable, routine, unexceptional, unremarkable, predominant, preponderant
    opposite: aberrant, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, deviant, irregular, nonrepresentative, nontypical, untypical
    near: uncommon, unconventional, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted, distinctive, especial, exceptional, extraordinary, infrequent, noteworthy, rare, remarkable, singular, special, unexpected, unfamiliar, unique, unpredictable, eccentric, idiosyncratic, nonconformist, peculiar, unknown, unorthodox, curious, erratic, funky, funny, odd, oddball, offbeat, outlandish, quirky, screwy, strange, wacky, way-out, bizarre, fantastic, far-out, freak, freakish, kooky, out-of-the-way, outrageous, outré, unnatural, weird, wild

  10. conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue

    "a person of great integrity, he was the truest person I've ever met"

    similar: all right, decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, nice, right, right-minded, righteous, straight, upright, virtuous
    related: correct, decorous, proper, seemly, high-minded, noble, principled, commendable, creditable, exemplary, legitimate, esteemed, law-abiding, menschy, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy, blameless, clean, guiltless, immaculate, incorrupt, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, unobjectionable, angelic, lily-white, pure, scrupulous, spotless, uncorrupted, unerring, goody-goody, moralistic, pharisaical, rectitudinous, sanctimonious, self-righteous
    opposite: bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong
    near: improper, incorrect, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, perverted, reprobate, unprincipled, unscrupulous, atrocious, infamous, villainous, base, low, mean, vicious, vile, blameworthy, objectionable, offensive, iniquitous, nefarious, errant, erring, fallen

True (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in even, truly

    similar: even, indeed, nay, truly, verily, yea
    opposite: again, contrarily, contrariwise, conversely, if anything, on the contrary, to the contrary

Related Entry: True believer (noun)

True believer is a different word from True. The synonyms below are for true believer, not for true.

  1. one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause

    "they were true believers in an antimaterialist lifestyle, as evidenced by their lack of possessions"

    similar: crusader, fanatic, ideologue, militant, partisan, red hot, zealot
    related: activist, dreamer, idealist, visionary, cultist, disciple, follower, hanger-on, idolizer, votary, addict, aficionado, buff, bug, devotee, enthusiast, fan, fancier, fiend, fool, freak, habitué, head, hound, junkie, lover, maniac, maven, nut, sucker, advocate, apostle, backer, champion, evangelist, patron, promoter, stalwart, supporter, booster, rooter, well-wisher, faddist
    opposite: nonmilitant
    near: dabbler, dilettante

  2. a person who actively supports or favors a cause

    "true believers who fought the good fight even when it was out of fashion"

    similar: advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, espouser, exponent, expounder, friend, gospeler, herald, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, tub-thumper, white knight
    related: loyalist, partisan, stalwart, adherent, cohort, disciple, follower, interpreter, applauder, cheerleader, encourager, fellow traveler
    opposite: adversary, antagonist, opponent
    near: enemy, foe, rival, belittler, critic, faultfinder

Related Entry: True-blue (adjective)

True-blue is a different word from True. The synonyms below are for true-blue, not for true.

  1. firm in one's allegiance to someone or something

    "a true-blue patriot even during the revolution's darkest hours"

    similar: constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, good, loyal, pious, staunch, steadfast, steady, true
    related: dependable, dutiful, reliable, responsible, solid, tried, tried-and-true, trustworthy, trusty, unfaltering, unhesitating, unwavering, determined, intent, resolute, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate, sworn, ardent, avid, enthusiastic, fervent, fervid, gung ho, impassioned, passionate, serious
    opposite: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue
    near: irresponsible, undependable, unreliable, untrustworthy, faltering, hesitant, vacillating, wavering, dubious, irresolute, shaky, uncertain, apathetic, dispassionate, uninterested

Related Entry: True believers (noun)

True believers is a different word from True. The synonyms below are for true believers, not for true.

  1. one who is intensely or excessively devoted to a cause

    "they were true believers in an antimaterialist lifestyle, as evidenced by their lack of possessions"

    similar: crusaders, fanatics, ideologues, militants, partisans, red hots, zealots
    related: activists, dreamers, idealists, visionaries, cultists, disciples, followers, hangers-on, idolizers, votaries, addicts, aficionados, buffs, bugs, devotees, enthusiasts, fanciers, fans, fiends, fools, freaks, habitués, heads, hounds, junkies, lovers, maniacs, mavens, nuts, suckers, advocates, apostles, backers, champions, evangelists, patrons, promoters, stalwarts, supporters, boosters, rooters, well-wishers, faddists
    opposite: nonmilitants
    near: dabblers, dilettantes

  2. a person who actively supports or favors a cause

    "true believers who fought the good fight even when it was out of fashion"

    similar: advocates, advocators, apostles, backers, boosters, champions, espousers, exponents, expounders, friends, gospelers, heralds, hierophants, high priests, paladins, promoters, proponents, protagonists, supporters, tub-thumpers, white knights
    related: loyalists, partisans, stalwarts, adherents, cohorts, disciples, followers, interpreters, applauders, cheerleaders, encouragers, fellow travelers
    opposite: adversaries, antagonists, opponents
    near: enemies, foes, rivals, belittlers, critics, faultfinders

Related Entry: Tried-and-true (adjective)

Tried-and-true is a different word from True. The synonyms below are for tried-and-true, not for true.

  1. worthy of one's trust

    "a tried-and-true friend who has always been there for me"

    similar: calculable, dependable, good, reliable, responsible, safe, secure, solid, steady, sure, tried, true, trustable, trustworthy, trusty
    related: constant, devoted, faithful, fast, loyal, staunch, steadfast, true-blue, honest, sincere, single-minded, infallible, unerring, bedrock, firm, sound, strong, effective, telling, attested, authenticated, confirmed, proven, valid, validated, verified, blameless, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inerrant, irreproachable, unimpeachable, unquestionable
    opposite: dodgy (chiefly British), uncertain, undependable, unreliable, unsafe, untrustworthy
    near: disloyal, faithless, false, fickle, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, treacherous, unfaithful, untrue, deceitful, dishonest, lying, mendacious, untruthful, debatable, disputable, doubtable, doubtful, dubious, fishy, problematic, questionable, shady, shaky, suspect, uncertain, unsound, hazardous, risky, unconfirmed, untried

Related Entry: Bug (noun)

Bug is a different word from True. The synonyms below are for bug, not for true.

  1. a person with a strong and habitual liking for something

    "a camera bug who loves taking candid shots at fairs and festivals"

    similar: addict, aficionado, buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan, fanatic, fancier, fiend, fool, freak, habitué, head, hound, junkie, lover, maniac (informal), maven, nut, sucker
    related: groupie, admirer, amateur, collector, connoisseur, dilettante, authority, expert, adherent, convert, cultist, disciple, follower, hanger-on, votary, advocate, apostle, backer, champion, evangelist, exponent, friend, patron, promoter, proponent, supporter, partisan, zealot, booster, rooter, well-wisher, faddist
    opposite: nonfan
    near: nonadmirer, belittler, carper, critic, detractor

  2. an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning

    "I can't go to work today because I've caught some bug that's going around"

    similar: affection, ail, ailment, complaint, complication, condition, disease, disorder, distemper, distemperature, fever, ill, illness, infirmity, malady, sickness, trouble
    related: contagion, contagious disease, contagium, infection, attack, bout, fit, spell, debility, decrepitude, feebleness, frailness, lameness, sickliness, unhealthiness, unsoundness, unwellness, weakness, malaise, matter, pip, epidemic, pest, pestilence, plague
    opposite: health, wellness
    near: fitness, healthiness, heartiness, robustness, soundness, wholeness, wholesomeness, fettle, shape

Related Entry: Porcelain (noun)

Porcelain is a different word from True. The synonyms below are for porcelain, not for true.

  1. a ceramic ware made from a hard, white substance that is very delicate

    "The family only used their porcelain for their formal Christmas dinner."

    similar: china, chinaware, crockery, earthenware, pottery, stoneware, ware, dinnerware, tableware, place setting, setting, setup, crystal, glassware, plate, saucer, cup, demitasse, glass, goblet, mug, teacup, bowl, casserole, charger, platter, tureen

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for True

The most common words with a similar meaning to True:

Australian & New Zealand: dinkum
Chiefly British: bang on
authentic, bona fide, certifiable, certified, echt, genuine, honest, pukka, real, right, sure-enough, accurate, correct, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, precise, proper, so, spot-on, veracious, actual, concrete, de facto, effective, existent, factual, very, constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, down-the-line, faithful, fast, loyal, pious, staunch, steadfast

Antonyms & Opposite Words for True

Words with the opposite meaning of True:

bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony, pseudo, sham, spurious, suppositious, supposititious, unauthentic, unreal, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong, conjectural, hypothetical, ideal, inexistent, nonexistent, platonic, possible, potential, suppositional, theoretical

Related Words for True

original, lawful, legal, legitimate, identifiable, recognizable, verifiable, proven, substantiated, validated, verified, incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, indubitable, irrefutable, undeniable, undoubted, unmistakable, unquestionable, veritable, pure, unadulterated, unalloyed, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless

Near Antonyms of True

factitious, imitation, man-made, simulated, synthetic, unnatural, concocted, fabricated, manufactured, deceptive, delusive, delusory, misleading, defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect, alleged, assumed, reputed, supposed, conceived, envisaged, envisioned, imagined, pictured, visualized, chimerical, fabled, fanciful

Word Forms of True

Inflections: truer, truest, trued, trueing, truing

Derived words: trueness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of True

Middle English trewe, from Old English trēowe faithful; akin to Old High German gitriuwi faithful, Old Irish derb sure, and probably to Sanskrit dāruṇa hard, dāru wood tree:1

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for True

  • Topics: Descriptions / Adjectives

Words & Phrases Containing True

true believer, true bill, true-blue, true blue, true bug, true crime

Frequently Asked Questions about True

What does "True" mean?

"True" means being in accordance with the actual state of affairs. As an an adjective, an adverb, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: being in accordance with the actual state of affairs. It has 11 distinct senses.

What is another word for "True"?

Other words for "True" include authentic, bona fide, certifiable, certified, dinkum, echt, genuine and honest. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "True" you intend.

What are different ways to say "True"?

There are 288 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "True". Common alternatives include authentic, bona fide, certifiable, certified, dinkum, echt, genuine, honest, pukka and real.

What is the opposite of "True"?

Antonyms of "True" include bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony, pseudo and sham. Near antonyms include factitious, imitation, man-made and simulated.

How do you use "True" in a sentence?

Examples of "True" in a sentence: "his claim that he's the heir to the throne of Greece can't be true"; "if that is true, then we can't get in without a key"; "the true scope of this environmental problem is far greater than anyone imagined".

Is "True" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"True" can be used as an adjective, an adverb, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "True"?

"True" is pronounced /ˈtrü/.

What is the origin of the word "True"?

"True" comes from Middle English trewe, from Old English trēowe faithful; akin to Old High German gitriuwi faithful, Old Irish derb sure, and probably to Sanskrit dāruṇa hard, dāru wood tree:1. First known use: before 12th century.