What does verily mean?
Verily means “truly,” “in truth,” or “certainly.” It is an adverb used to assert that something is genuinely the case, often adding emphasis or an authoritative tone to the statement. The word appears especially in older, literary, religious, or ceremonial English, where it can sound dignified and emphatic: “Verily, this is the way.” In modern conversation, it may be used deliberately for humor or for a grandiose effect, so it is uncommon in ordinary informal speech. Its unusual sound and spelling also make it useful in memorable writing, where it creates a sense of age, certainty, or rhetorical weight. Historically, verily developed from an Old English adverb meaning “truly,” ultimately connected to the same Latin root as words such as veracity and verisimilitude. Although no longer a everyday synonym for “really,” verily remains a precise and vivid word for an emphatic affirmation.
adverbIn truth; truly or certainly. In older or literary usage, it can also introduce an emphatic affirmation.
- In truth; truly or certainly.
- Used to emphasize or affirm a statement, especially in archaic, literary, or ceremonial contexts.
"The map may be old, but it is verily a record of journeys made by those who knew the coast."
"Verily, the old theatre has become more welcoming since its restoration."
"I tell you, verily, that no one in the village has seen such a storm."
Once the standard word for “truly,” verily now adds a distinctly old-fashioned flourish, as if the statement has just stepped out of a Shakespearean play.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does verily come from?
Verily developed in Middle English from Old English vērlīce, meaning “truly,” formed from vēr, “true,” and the adverbial suffix -līce, whose later form contributed to modern -ly. Old English vēr was borrowed from Latin verus, meaning “true.” That Latin root also lies behind related English words including veracity, veridical, and verisimilitude.
How verily is actually used
Verily is chiefly literary, archaic, ceremonial, or mildly humorous today. It can sound emphatic and authoritative, but in some contexts it may seem deliberately old-fashioned.