Ever typed “truely” and paused, thinking — wait, is that right? 😅
You’re not alone. “Truely” looks like it should be correct because many English words ending in “-e” keep that “e” when adding “-ly” (like safe → safely).
That’s exactly why people confuse “truely” and “truly.”
Although they sound identical, only one is correct in modern English — and the other is simply a common misspelling.
In this article, you’ll learn which one’s right, why the other is wrong, how spelling rules changed over time, and how to remember the difference forever.
By the end, you’ll be able to truly spell it like a pro — no hesitation, no confusion. ✅
What Is “Truly”?
✅ “Truly” (without the “e”) is the correct and standard spelling in both American and British English.
Meaning
“Truly” is an adverb meaning genuinely, sincerely, or truthfully.
It shows honesty, accuracy, or realness in what’s being said.
Examples:
- “I truly appreciate your help.”
- “She’s a truly kind person.”
- “Do you truly believe that?”
Origin
“Truly” comes from the adjective “true” + the suffix “-ly” (which turns adjectives into adverbs).
Originally, people did write “truely,” but the spelling changed in the 16th century to make pronunciation smoother.
So while “truely” existed long ago, “truly” has been the correct spelling for hundreds of years.
Where It’s Used
“Truly” appears in all types of English writing — from formal documents to love letters:
- Formal: “We are truly honored by your presence.”
- Everyday: “I truly can’t wait!”
- Emotional: “I truly miss you.”
💡 Fun fact: “Truly” is also used in many brand names and pop culture references — like Truly Hard Seltzer — emphasizing authenticity and sincerity.
What Is “Truely”?
⚠️ “Truely” is not a correct spelling in modern English.
Meaning
“Truely” has no official meaning — it’s simply a common misspelling of “truly.”
You’ll sometimes see it in informal online writing, old manuscripts, or typos.
Examples (incorrect):
- ❌ “I truely love this movie.”
- ❌ “He spoke truely from the heart.”
The correct versions are:
- ✅ “I truly love this movie.”
- ✅ “He spoke truly from the heart.”
Origin
The misspelling “truely” makes sense historically — because in English, most adjectives ending in “-e” keep the “e” when adding “-ly.”
For example:
- safe → safely
- complete → completely
- absolute → absolutely
So naturally, many assume:
true → truely
But “true” is one of the rare exceptions — the “e” is dropped before adding “-ly.”
Hence:
true → truly ✅
Key Differences Between “Truly” and “Truely”
| Feature | Truly | Truely |
|---|---|---|
| Correctness | ✅ Standard English spelling | ❌ Common misspelling |
| Meaning | Genuinely, sincerely, truthfully | None (incorrect) |
| Origin | From Old English treowe → “true” → “truly” | Incorrect modern form |
| Used In | All formal and informal writing | Typos, informal posts |
| Dictionaries | Listed in all major ones | Not listed (flagged as wrong) |
| Example | “She truly cares.” | “She truely cares.” ❌ |
💡 Memory Tip: If your spellchecker underlines it, you’re probably writing “truely.”
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1: Text Message
Liam: “I truely can’t wait to see you!”
Mia: “Aww, that’s sweet — but it’s truly with no ‘e’ 😄.”
🎯 Lesson: Always drop the “e” before adding “-ly.”
Dialogue 2: Grammar Class
Teacher: “What’s the adverb form of ‘true’?”
Student: “Truely?”
Teacher: “Close! It’s truly. We drop the ‘e.’”
🎯 Lesson: “Truly” breaks the normal “-e + ly” rule.
Dialogue 3: Editing a Blog Post
Writer: “Should I write ‘truely inspirational’?”
Editor: “Nope — ‘truly inspirational.’ Your readers will notice the difference.”
🎯 Lesson: Even small spelling errors can hurt credibility.
Dialogue 4: Friendly Chat
Mark: “She’s a truely amazing artist.”
Ella: “You mean truly amazing — but yes, she really is!”
🎯 Lesson: “Truly” looks cleaner and reads more naturally.
Dialogue 5: Job Application
Cover Letter: “I am truely passionate about your mission.”
Recruiter: “Oops — spelling mistake. Should be truly.”
🎯 Lesson: Using “truely” in professional writing leaves a poor impression.
When to Use “Truly” vs “Truely”
| Situation | Use “Truly” | Use “Truely” |
|---|---|---|
| Formal writing (emails, essays, resumes) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Creative or casual writing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Social media captions | ✅ | ❌ |
| Historical texts (pre-1600) | ⚠️ | ✅ (archaic) |
| Professional communication | ✅ | ❌ |
👉 Rule of Thumb:
If you’re writing for today’s readers, “truly” is always correct.
Fun Fact or History Section
📜 1. “Truely” Used to Be Acceptable — Centuries Ago!
In early Modern English (1500s–1600s), some writers did spell it “truely.”
But as English spelling became standardized through dictionaries like Samuel Johnson’s (1755) and Noah Webster’s (1828), “truly” became the fixed form.
📝 2. English Loves Exceptions
While “truely” feels logical, English spelling doesn’t always follow its own rules!
Other exceptions include:
- dye → duly
- whole → wholly
- true → truly
So, don’t worry — it’s not just you getting tricked by spelling patterns! 😄
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
Here’s a simple trick:
✏️ “Truly” tells the truth — no extra ‘e.’
Or think of it like this:
If it’s true, drop the ‘e.’
Mnemonic Example:
- “I truly know it’s true.”
- (Notice: “true” has an ‘e,’ but “truly” does not!)
🎯 Memory Tip:
If you can say it out loud smoothly — true-ly — you’ll remember it’s truly, not truely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 “You are truely the best.”
✅ “You are truly the best.”
🚫 “He spoke truely about his experience.”
✅ “He spoke truly about his experience.”
🚫 “It’s truely amazing how fast time flies.”
✅ “It’s truly amazing how fast time flies.”
🎯 Lesson: Double-check “truely” before posting, emailing, or submitting work.
Mini Practice Section
Choose the correct spelling:
- “She is ___ grateful for your help.” → Truly ✅
- “I ___ believe in you.” → Truly ✅
- “That movie was ___ unforgettable.” → Truly ✅
- “It’s a ___ rare sight.” → Truly ✅
- “He spoke ___ from his heart.” → Truly ✅
🎯 Answer: “Truely” is wrong in every modern example.
Why Spellcheck Doesn’t Always Save You
Most apps like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Grammarly auto-correct “truely” to “truly.”
However, in some informal tools (like social media or text apps), autocorrect may miss it if you type quickly or use slang.
That’s why it’s helpful to memorize this one — it’s a tiny detail with a big impact on writing credibility.
Conclusion
To sum it up: “Truly” is the only correct and accepted spelling in modern English.
“Truely” might look right, but it’s a leftover from old English that’s no longer used.
So remember: drop the “e” and stay true to correct spelling.
Whether you’re writing an email, essay, or love note, use “truly” — because spelling it right is the truest way to show care and attention. ❤️
Next time someone types “truely,” you’ll truly know the truth!
