truth
English meaning: Truth
Definition
True facts, genuine depiction or statements of reality.
Example
“The truth is that our leaders knew a lot more than they were letting on.”
Another example: “Truth be told, I never really enjoyed those long meetings.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A core abstract noun for what is true or accurate, used in everyday speech, philosophy, law ('the truth, the whole truth') and idioms ('to tell the truth', 'truth be told'). Neutral to formal register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'triewth' 'faithfulness, truth', from 'triewe' 'true'; in use since before the 12th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- tell the truth
- the whole truth
- truth be told
- home truth
- truth and reconciliation
Word Forms
truth (n); truths; truthful (adj); truly (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
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