true

Universal Words adjective, adverb, noun adjective (truer, truest) correct 1 connected with facts rather than things that have been invented or guessed: Indicate whether the following statements are true or false. * Is it true she's leaving? * Can you prove that what you say is true? * All the rumours turned out to be true. * I think it would be true to say that the show was a success. * That's not strictly (= completely) true. * The novel is based on a true story. * His excuse just doesn't ring (= sound) true. * Unfortunately, these findings do not hold true (= are not valid) for women and children. * The music is dull and uninspiring, and the same is true of the acting. * You never spoke a truer word (= used to emphasize that you agree with what sb has just said). OPPUNTRUE real 2 real or exact, especially when this is different from how sth seems: the true face of socialism (= what socialism is really like rather than what people think it is like) * The true cost of these experiments to the environment will not be known for years to come. * He reveals his true character to very few people. 3 [usuallybeforenoun] having the qualities or characteristics of the thing mentioned: It was true love between them. * He's a true gentleman. * She is not the true owner of this house. * The painting is a masterpiece in the truest sense of the word. * He is credited with inventing the first true helicopter. admitting fact 4 used to admit that a particular fact or statement is true, although you think that sth else is more important: It's true that he could do the job, but would he fit in with the rest of the team? * 'We could get it cheaper.' 'True, but would it be as good?' loyal 5 ~ (to sb/sth) showing respect and support for a particular person or belief in a way that does not change, even in different situations: a true friend * She has always been true to herself (= done what she thought was good, honourable, etc.). * He was true to his word (= did what he promised to do). * Many were executed for remaining true to their principles. * Knights swore to be true to their lord. accurate 6 ~ (to sth) being an accurate version or copy of sth: The movie is not true to the book. * The painting is a true likeness of her. 7 [notusuallybeforenoun] (old-fashioned or literary) straight and accurate: His aim was true (= he hit the target). -< REAL IDIOMS come true (of a hope, wish, etc.) to become reality: Winning the medal was like a dream come true. too good to be true used to say that you cannot believe that sth is as good as it seems: 'I'm afraid you were quoted the wrong price.' 'I thought it was too good to be true.' your true colours (often disapproving) your real character, rather than the one that you usually allow other people to see: It was only after they got married that he showed himself in his true colours. true to form used to say that sb is behaving in the way that you expect them to behave, especially when this is annoying: True to form, she managed to upset everyone before leaving. true to life (of a book, film / movie, etc.) seeming real rather than invented: I don't think the characters are very true to life. moreatRINGv., TRIED adverb (old-fashioned or literary) straight 1 in a direct line: The arrow flew straight and true to the target. * He shot true. correctly 2 speak ~ to tell the truth: He had spoken truer than he knew. noun IDIOMS out of true if an object is out of true, it is not straight or in the correct position ______________________________ WORDFAMILY true adj. (=/= untrue) truth n. (=/= untruth) truthful adj. (=/= untruthful) truly adv. truism n. ______________________________