truth
C1Formal, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality.
A belief, principle, or idea that is accepted as true, especially one derived from spiritual or philosophical insight.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun referring to the abstract concept. Can be countable ('truths') when referring to specific facts or statements accepted as true.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage.
Connotations
Strong connotations of honesty, integrity, and moral or factual correctness in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent and used with identical core meaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
tell (sb) the truthfind out the truthknow the truthspeak the truththe truth about sththe truth of the matterVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “moment of truth”
- “truth will out”
- “home truth”
- “in truth”
- “to tell you the truth”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Emphasized in contexts of transparency and ethical reporting, e.g., 'financial truth' or 'truth in advertising'.
Academic
Used in philosophy, law, and sciences to discuss factual accuracy, evidence, and epistemological concepts.
Everyday
Common in discussions about honesty, personal experiences, and verifying information.
Technical
In logic and computing, refers to a Boolean value (true/false) or the property of a statement.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He truthed the statement.
- They are truthing the historical record.
American English
- She truthed the document.
- We need to truth these claims.
adverb
British English
- N/A (no standard adverb form derived directly from 'truth')
American English
- N/A (no standard adverb form derived directly from 'truth')
adjective
British English
- N/A (no standard adjective form derived directly from 'truth')
American English
- N/A (no standard adjective form derived directly from 'truth')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Tell me the truth.
- It is important to tell the truth.
- I know the truth.
- The truth is sometimes hard to hear.
- She finally discovered the truth about her family.
- I doubt the truth of his story.
- He struggled to reconcile the harsh truth with his idealistic beliefs.
- The committee's report aimed to establish the truth of the allegations.
- There's an element of truth in what you say.
- Postmodern philosophers often question the possibility of objective truth.
- The witness's testimony was crucial in uncovering the whole truth.
- The film explores the uncomfortable truths about modern society.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TRUE' + 'TH' (as in 'thing'). A 'true thing' is the truth.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS LIGHT (e.g., 'shed light on the truth'), TRUTH IS A HIDDEN OBJECT (e.g., 'uncover the truth'), TRUTH IS A PATH (e.g., 'the path to truth').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'правда' for factual statements where 'fact' is more accurate. 'Truth' is broader than 'истина', encompassing honesty and factual correctness.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a truth' incorrectly for the general concept (should be uncountable). Confusing 'truth' with 'true' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common collocation with 'truth'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily uncountable (e.g., 'There is no truth in that rumour'). It becomes countable when referring to specific facts or beliefs (e.g., 'scientific truths').
A 'fact' is a specific piece of information that is verifiably true. 'Truth' is a broader, more abstract concept referring to the state of being true or a fundamental, often philosophical, reality.
It refers to a critical moment when something is finally tested or when the true nature of something is revealed (e.g., 'The final exam was his moment of truth').
Yes, 'truthful' is the main adjective, meaning 'telling or expressing the truth'. The noun 'truth' itself is not commonly used as an adjective.
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Philosophy and Ethics
C1 · 50 words · Philosophical concepts and ethical reasoning.
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