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true

true

261 1.0
Exactly aimed and hitting the intended point
  • adjective
  • /truː/
translation icon : exacto
  • The carpenter checked to see if the frame was true using a level.
  • true value
  • true mass
  • true negative

The Mexico deal, my tax return, the true color of my face.

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Examples

  • She tuned her guitar until the notes sounded true and harmonious.

  • Are the actions of the characters true to life and not stereotypical?

    Academic text (1999)
  • The journey to find the true way.

  • We have to take the lead in showing the Israeli people the true direction.

    Academic text (2008)
  • I'm the only one who knows what your true potential is, Robert.

  • It's the true legacy we pass on to future generations and the true contribution we make to society.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • So today let's bring to life the true size of a Mongol army.

  • He and the boy had formed a true bond.

  • Moonlight streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, revealing the true enormity of the ballroom.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Make sure the shelves are true and even before you install them.

Synonyms

correct
vstrue
1.0

True and free from mistakes

can also mean properly aligned, aimed, or musically in tune
exact
vstrue
901 3.2

Completely correct in every small detail

is more about overall correctness and alignment rather than word-for-word matching
accurate
vstrue
680 3.0

Exactly correct in every detail

includes physical alignment and musical tuning as well as factual correctness
precise
vstrue
286 3.6

Exactly correct and clear about small details

applies also to being correctly aligned, aimed, or in tune not only measures
right on
vstrue
  • Informal
112 7.0

Exactly correct in what someone says

is broader than mere approval, covering physical alignment and precise tuning too
spot on
vstrue
  • UK
42 4.4

Exactly right about a fact or idea

covers general correctness plus physical alignment and musical tuning
on the money
vstrue
  • Informal
31 6.0

Exactly right in what someone says or does

is the general concept that also includes being properly aligned or musically in tune
on the nose
vstrue
  • Informal
15 5.9

Exactly correct in every detail

feels the same but is used more broadly for general correctness and alignment
dead-on
vstrue
  • Informal
8 6.0

Exactly right and very accurate

can also describe precise alignment or tuned correctness beyond brief judgments
dead on
vstrue
6 4.8

Exactly correct about a fact or answer

is the more general term covering correct alignment, tuning, or precision
bang on
vstrue
  • UK
3 7.4

Exactly right for a situation or need

is the wider term including correct alignment, aiming, or musical tuning
1 5.8

Exactly correct in every word, matching the original text

is broader, covering accuracy or alignment beyond literal word-for-word copying
on the button
vstrue
1 6.6

Exactly at the right time or moment

includes accuracy in many ways, including physical alignment and pitch, not only timing
on-key
vstrue
1 5.9

Singing or playing the correct notes so it sounds in tune

also covers general correctness, precise aiming, and physical alignment beyond music
4.9

Exactly as you plan or expect

is about correctness in general, not only physical aiming or placement

Antonyms

113 4.3

Not correct or exact, with mistakes

58 2.5

Not straight in shape, like a path or a smile

14 5.5

Not exact or clear enough to be useful

Idioms

true that
  • Informal
126 8.1

To say you agree with someone

47 5.9

So good that you find it hard to believe

A thing you wanted for a long time that finally happens

31 3.2

Faithful and loyal to your partner by not having sex with other people

tried and true
  • Informal
15 3.4

Known to work well because people used it before

so true
  • Informal
13 6.8

To show you strongly agree with what someone said

true to form
  • Informal
9 4.1

Happening or acting in the usual way as before

9 6.3

To let people see who you really are, often under pressure

3 4.1

Very similar to real life in looks and detail

big if true
  • Texting
9.2

Something that would be very important if it is true

9.2

To show that something is really true and not a joke

out of true
  • Specialized
8.0

Uneven so parts do not fit or move smoothly

Compounds

75 2.7

An account of events that really happened

20 4.9

A person's real self, not the face they show others

true colors
  • Informal
17 4.9

The real character a person shows when under pressure

7 6.8

Very loyal and always supporting a person, group, or cause

The real reasons someone has for their actions, often hidden

All the ability a person or thing can reach

A person who sees what the future could be and creates new ideas

true bill
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A paper saying a group of citizens found enough evidence to charge someone with a crime

A situation where everyone has the same rights and fair treatment

true north
  • Canadian
1 8.6

Canada that people call a symbol of its values and identity

1 2.8

Asking for an answer of true or false

true bug
  • Specialized
1 8.1

An insect with a thin mouth that pierces and sucks fluids, like a water strider

true pepper
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A climbing plant from the tropics that makes small round spice seeds used in cooking

A faith people believe is the only correct one compared to other religions

true rib
  • Specialized
1 5.8

One of the first seven ribs that connects directly to the breastbone

true vocal cord
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A thin piece of tissue in the throat that vibrates to make the voice

true anomaly
  • Specialized
9.9

An angle you measure along the path around a planet or star from the closest point

true bacteria
  • Specialized
4.2

A major group of bacteria with firm cell walls, including common kinds that cause disease

true bayard
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who shows great courage and honesty

true cedar
  • Specialized
7.4

A tall evergreen tree of the Cedrus group that grows on high mountains like the Himalayas or Mediterranean

A rude, insulting slang word for a disliked person from Connecticut

A person who handles difficult talks calmly and keeps peace

true beardo
  • Slang
9.6

A man who proudly cares for and styles his beard

A bush that grows sweet black or dark purple berries you can eat

true cat
  • Specialized
2.7

A small animal like a house cat or wildcat that cannot roar, unlike lions

true dwarf
  • Archaic
9.8

A person who is very short because of a gene problem but with normal body shape and mind

true fungus
  • Specialized
7.0

A living thing like a mushroom or mold with cell walls made of chitin that makes spores

true gent
  • Informal
7.0

A man who is very polite and kind to others

A person who travels to many countries around the world

true glottis
  • Specialized
8.8

The space between the two vocal cords in the voice box

A small tree from warm places that makes sweet round yellow fruit

true fir
  • Specialized
6.7

A tall evergreen tree with needle leaves and upright cones often used as a Christmas tree

true flapper
  • Archaic
9.9

A young woman in the 1920s with short hair, bold makeup, and lively, daring style

true flycatcher
  • Specialized
9.1

A small bird that catches insects while flying

true foodie
  • Informal
4.6

A person who loves trying new and different foods and restaurants

true frog
  • Specialized
5.6

A smooth-bodied animal that lives in water and on land with long back legs and webbed feet

A small shrub with bell-shaped flowers found in Europe and Africa

A small evergreen tree from the Mediterranean with glossy fragrant leaves used to flavor food and for wreaths

A large sea animal with two big claws that people eat

A decorative knot used as a sign of love, often seen in jewelry

A decorative knot design that shows love and loyalty in jewelry

A knot used to join the ends of two ropes so they stay together

Climbing plant with many sweet-smelling white flowers used in perfume and tea

A person who collects old broken things and fixes them for fun

9.9

A loyal friend or partner who always supports you

9.9

A person from Sunderland who strongly supports the local football team

A tree from the Caribbean that gives deep brown, strong wood used for furniture

true pine
  • Specialized
6.4

A tree in the Pinus group that has long needles and cones

Good qualities like honesty, courage, and respect that show a man treats others well

true marmoset
  • Specialized
9.8

A small South American monkey with soft fur that often has twins and is not a tamarin

A person who plans and organizes complex activities from behind the scenes

true sandalwood
  • Australian
9.1

A tree that grows on other plants in Indonesia and Malaysia with yellow, fragrant wood that repels insects

true satori
  • Specialized
9.9

A sudden real moment of deep understanding during meditation

true seal
  • Specialized
6.5

A sea mammal without visible ears, with fur and back flippers for swimming

true senna
  • Specialized
8.0

A shrub with yellow flowers whose dried leaves help people with constipation

true slime mold
  • Specialized
9.6

A soft mass of many cells that moves like an amoeba and feeds on decaying plants

true puffball
  • Specialized
9.3

A round mushroom that releases a cloud of spores when you touch it

A man who shows deep love and does dramatic, romantic things

true sago palm
  • Australian
8.9

A palm tree whose trunk gives a starchy food used for cooking

A person who knows and appreciates fine art, music and food

true tulipwood
  • Specialized
9.0

Light, easy to work wood from the tulip tree used for furniture and veneers

true toad
  • Specialized
8.2

A tailless amphibian with dry, warty skin that lives mostly on land

true vampire bat
  • Specialized
9.2

A bat from tropical America that drinks the blood of animals like cows and birds

true warbler
  • Specialized
9.9

A small active songbird usually brown or grey from Europe, Asia and Africa

true Whiggamore
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who strongly supports a political party, especially the Whiggamores

A very skilled violin player like Yehudi Menuhin

true vocal fold
  • Specialized
7.0

Thin bands of tissue in the voice box that vibrate to make voice when air passes between them

Very similar to real life and easy to imagine

How Accurate

exact
901 3.2
true
261 1.0
inaccurate
113 4.3

Surface Forms

true positive
truer comparative
truest superlative

Etymology

True originally meant 'faithful' (Old English trēowe), so being 'true' in aim or measurement means you are faithful to the target or standard and hit it accurately.