1
: in a sure manner:
a
archaic
: without danger or risk of injury or loss : safely
b(1)
: with assurance : confidently
answered quickly and surely
(2)
: without doubt : certainly
They will surely be heard from in the future.—R. J. Lifton
Sure vs. Surely: Usage Guide
Sure and surely are both used as simple intensives. Sure is informal and typically used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.
She sure knew how to make me laugh.
That sure was fun.
Surely can occur in formal contexts and is used whether or not agreement is expected.
Surely you jest.
It is often applied when someone is making an effort to persuade.
a book surely worth anyone's time
Cite this Entry
“Surely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surely. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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