/ truːθ; NAmE / noun ( pl. truths / truːðz; NAmE /)
1.
the truth [ sing. ] the true facts about sth, rather than the things that have been invented or guessed :
Do you think she's telling the truth ?
We are determined to get at (= discover) the truth.
The truth (of the matter) is we can't afford to keep all the staff on.
I don't think you are telling me the whole truth about what happened.
2.
[ U ] the quality or state of being based on fact :
There is no truth in the rumours.
There is not a grain of truth in what she says.
OPP falsity
3.
[ C ] a fact that is believed by most people to be true :
universal truths
She was forced to face up to a few unwelcome truths about her family.
—see also half-truth , home truth
—compare untruth
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IDIOMS
- if (the) truth be known / told
- in truth
- nothing could be further from the truth
- to tell (you) the truth
- truth is stranger than fiction
- (the) truth will out
—more at bend verb , economical , moment
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English trīewth , trēowth faithfulness, constancy (see true , -th ).