[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/surely/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / surely

# surely

adverb (surely)

«surely» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Surely means for certain, with no doubt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#m1)
2. Surely is often used when you think something must be true and are surprised it might not be: surely you know that! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#m2)
3. Slowly but surely means slowly but steadily. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths: a story word for certainty; in reasoning problems «surely» means in every case, even the worst one: how many must you pick to surely get two of a kind. In life: «surely» shows strong belief. Phrases: slowly but surely, surely not, surely you can.

### Examples

- How many must you pick to surely get 2 blue? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x1)
- Surely he has more than 10 coins. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x2)
- The bag will surely hold 5 more apples. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x3)
- Which statement is surely true? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x4)
- Surely you don't want to go out in this rain! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x5)
- Slowly but surely, the tortoise won the race. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x6)
- If we leave now, we will surely be on time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x7)
- Surely not! Did he really eat ten pancakes? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x8)
- Surely they will not overlook you." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/#x9)

### Note

Adverb from «sure». In questions and exclamations it shows surprise (surely you remember?) and does not always mean «certainly». Asks for a result that holds in every case; think of the worst luck. Otherwise no clue.

## In Jewish tradition

In "surely die" and "surely be put to death," it copies the Hebrew way of saying "die, die" to mean definitely.

**Interpretation.** The rabbis said the Torah speaks in the language of people, and they read repeated forms as stressing a firm command.

### Examples

- Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. (Torah EXO.22.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surely/#x1)
- And the serpent said unto the woman: 'Ye shall not surely die; (Torah GEN.3.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surely/#x2)
- For except we had lingered, surely we had now returned a second time.' (Torah GEN.43.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surely/#x3)
- Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. (Writings ECC.4.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surely/#x4)
- And Agag said: 'Surely the bitterness of death is at hand.' (Prophets 1SA.15.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surely/#x5)
- He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly show favour. (Writings JOB.13.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surely/#x6)

### Note

Adverb from «sure». In questions and exclamations it shows surprise (surely you remember?) and does not always mean «certainly». Asks for a result that holds in every case; think of the worst luck. Otherwise no clue.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «surely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/surely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«surely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/surely.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «surely» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/surely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«surely» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/surely.html) on Mova free.