surely

adverb

1. 1

   Without fail.

   slowly but surely

2. 2

   Certainly, undoubtedly.

   Surely, you must be joking.

   You don’t suppose we're going to pay for you, surely?

   She’s surely got the letter by now.

   But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window[…].

3. 3

   With confidence.

   His feet were planted surely on the ground.

   Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us[…].

Forms

comparative

surelier, more surely

superlative

sureliest, most surely