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Glite Dictionary
of course

of course

∞ 1.0
To show something is obvious and to say yes or give permission
  • idiom
translation icon : por supuesto
  • Of course, you can borrow my book anytime.
  • Of course, we also
  • Of course, it's true
  • Of course, many people

But underneath, of course, of course it is not.

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Examples

  • The effects of the disaster, of course, will remain for many years.

  • And the Earth is, of course, a big place.

  • Now we could of course do this in two ways.

  • And that is of course not the real test.

  • The first step on our journey was of course to source the parts.

  • We're doing Scotland, Ireland, Wales and of course England.

    Liam Tuffs

  • It's all in the risk, of course, you see.

  • Yeah, of course you can, Tommy.

    Babes (2024)

  • What will suit each of us is, of course, a uniquely personal choice.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The place wasn't traditionally Chinese, of course, but nor was it truly American.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

naturally
vsof course
294 1.0

As expected, without surprise

also covers giving permission or agreement, not only being expected
by all means
vsof course
94 3.2

Say this to give someone permission or to encourage them

is used to show something is obvious rather than to give permission

Antonyms

not at all
331 1.0

In no way

How Obvious

obviously
∞ 1.0
of course
∞ 1.0
natch
  • Slang
9.9
apparently
∞ 2.8
seemingly
253 3.7

Surface Forms

of course positive

Morphology

of + course

Although 'course' can mean a natural progression and 'of course' historically comes from 'as a matter of course', the adverbial sense 'naturally/obviously' is not directly predictable for a B1 learner from the literal meanings of 'of' + 'course'. There is a plausible semantic link (course → natural course), but the fixed prepositional pattern and idiomaticized use make the meaning only partially derivable.

Etymology

Of course may come from the idea of a course as a 'path' or 'usual way' people follow. So when something is 'of course' it is like following that path — it is expected or obvious, and can also be a natural 'yes' when giving permission.