Truly vs. Truely: What's the Difference?
Learn why truly is the correct spelling and truely is a common misspelling, with formation rules, examples, a memory aid, a quiz, and FAQs.
Truly is the correct standard spelling of the adverb meaning genuinely, accurately, or completely. Truely is a misspelling. When true takes the adverb suffix -ly, the final e is dropped: true + -ly becomes truly.
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A thank-you message calls the team's support “truely valuable.” The meaning is clear, but standard spelling drops the e before -ly, so the final version reads “truly valuable.”
Truly vs. Truely at a glance
| Word | Typical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| truly | Adverb | genuinely, accurately, sincerely, or completely | The revised process is truly easier to follow. |
| truely | Nonstandard spelling | a common misspelling of truly | Incorrect: We are truely grateful for your patience. |
How to use truly
Truly modifies adjectives, verbs, or entire statements. It can emphasize sincerity, confirm that something is real, or describe an accurate representation, as in truly grateful, truly understands, and a truly faithful account.
The revised process is truly easier to follow.
How to use truely
Truely is understandable because many words keep a final e before -ly, but it is not the standard spelling. Edited writing, search labels, headings, and professional messages should use truly.
Incorrect: We are truely grateful for your patience.
Rules that make the choice easier
Drop the e in true before -ly
The standard formation is true plus -ly equals truly. The spelling follows a specific established pattern rather than a universal rule for every e-ending adjective.
Use truly for sincerity and emphasis
Truly can mean sincerely, genuinely, or in fact: truly sorry, truly original, and truly believes.
Check related words separately
True, truer, truest, truth, truthful, and truly have different endings. Do not use one form's spelling as an automatic template for another.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Incorrect: a truely remarkable result. Correct: a truly remarkable result.
- Do not add an extra e because true contains one in its base form.
- Do not overuse truly as empty emphasis when the sentence is already strong without it.
Quick practice
1. We are ___ pleased with the outcome.
Answer: truly
2. Is truely an accepted standard variant?
Answer: No
3. What happens to the final e in true before -ly?
Answer: It is dropped
Frequently asked questions
Is truly or truely correct?
Truly is correct. Truely is a common misspelling.
Why does truly drop the e?
Standard English forms the adverb by dropping the final e of true before adding -ly.
What does truly mean?
Truly can mean genuinely, sincerely, accurately, completely, or in fact, depending on context.
Is it yours truly or yours truely?
The closing is yours truly, with no e before -ly.