surely
UK: ˈʃʊəli | US: ˈʃʊrli
Definition
adv. with certainty or confidence
adv. used to emphasize the truth of a statement
adv. inevitably or without doubt
Structure
sure <certain, from Latin *securus*>ly <adverb suffix, from Old English *-līc*>
Etymology
The word "surely" combines "sure," derived from Latin securus (meaning "free from care" or "certain"), with the adverbial suffix "-ly," originating from Old English -līc (indicating "like" or "manner"). Over time, "sure" evolved in Middle English to mean "confident" or "certain," and the addition of "-ly" transformed it into an adverb, emphasizing certainty or inevitability. The logical progression reflects a shift from physical security (Latin securus) to abstract confidence in truth or outcome.
Examples
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