surely

American  

[shoor-lee, shur-] / ˈʃʊər li, ˈʃɜr- /

adverb

1. firmly; unerringly; without missing, slipping, etc.

2. undoubtedly, assuredly, or certainly.

   The results are surely encouraging.

3. (in emphatic utterances that are not necessarily sustained by fact) assuredly.

   Surely you are mistaken.

4. inevitably or without fail.

   Slowly but surely the end approached.

5. yes, indeed.

   Surely, I'll go with you!

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surely British  

/ ˈʃɔː-, ˈʃʊəlɪ /

adverb

1. without doubt; assuredly

   things could surely not have been worse

2. without fail; inexorably (esp in the phrase slowly but surely )

3. (sentence modifier) am I not right in thinking that?; I am sure that

   surely you don't mean it?

4. rare in a sure manner

5. archaic safely; securely

6. (sentence substitute) willingly; of course; yes

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Commonly Confused

See sure.

Etymology

Origin of surely

First recorded in 1300–50, surely is from the Middle English word surliche. See sure, -ly

Example Sentences

This is surely not news to Tuchel, but he will have everything crossed that the Bayern Munich striker is fit and well in June.

From BBC

The end depends only on whether we have the will to accomplish what is surely in our means.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wall Street is surely hoping the next 50 will be just as special.

From Barron's

An influx of artists, collectors and art fans will surely have an impact on an area that is already wary of gentrification and the rising cost of living that accompanies it.

From Los Angeles Times

It was surely impossible for her feeble human eyes to see Clare and Gingersnipes through the underbrush, surely impossible for her feeble human ears to hear their bickering; nevertheless, he felt a chill of fear.

From Literature

Related Words

• absolutely
• assuredly
• certainly
• clearly
• definitely
• evidently
• indeed
• inevitably
• inexorably
• plainly
• undoubtedly
• unquestionably