surely

Etymology

From Middle English surely; equivalent to sure +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃʊ(ə)ɹli/, /ˈʃɔɹli/, /ˈʃɝli/, /ˈʃɔː.li/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophone: Shirley (in some dialects)
• Rhymes: -ɔːli

Adverb

surely (comparative surelier or more surely, superlative sureliest or most surely)

1. Without fail.

   slowly but surely

2. Certainly, undoubtedly.

   Surely, you must be joking.

   • 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], OCLC 752825175, page 035:

     But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window […].

3. With confidence.

   His feet were planted surely on the ground.

Anagrams

• Ruleys, Ruyles, Ulerys, Ulreys

Alternative forms

• surly, suerly, surliche, surelich, seurly, suyrly, swrly, seurerly, seuirly, sureli, sewrly, sourely, sewerly, swerly, sewrlye, surelye

Etymology

From sure +‎ -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɛu̯rliː/, /ˈsiu̯rliː/, /ˈsuːrliː/

Adverb

surely (comparative surelier)

1. safely (with safety and security)
2. totally, bindingly, without doubt
3. For sure, with certainty.
4. truely, actually, really
5. totally, entirely, wholly
6. With conviction and belief; assuredly