Genuinely vs Truly

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Genuinely

Top 2,000 (common) B2 adverb

Truly

Top 2,000 (common) B2 adverb

	Genuinely	Truly
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈdʒenjuɪnli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈdʒenjuɪnli/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈtruːli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈtruːli/"]/
Meaning	Truly or really, in an honest way.	Really; in a sincere way.
Example	There are some genuinely funny moments in the film.	She is truly an amazing artist, and her work speaks volumes.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	B2	B2
Part of speech	adverb	adverb
Collocations	genuinely happy, genuinely interested, genuinely believe	truly believe, truly appreciate, truly understand
Antonyms	falsely, insincerely, artificially	falsely, insincerely
Common mistakes	Confusing with 'generally' which has a different meaning., Using in overly casual contexts where sincerity isn't implied.	'Truely' is a common misspelling., Confusing 'truly' with 'really' — they are similar but can have different nuances., Using 'truly' too frequently can sound repetitive.
Usage notes	Use 'genuinely' to express sincerity or authenticity. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid it in very casual or slang settings.	Use 'truly' to emphasize honesty or to indicate that something is genuine. It is often used in both spoken and written English, but can sound slightly formal in casual settings. Avoid using it in overly casual or slang conversations.

See it in real clips

You truly are incorruptible, aren't you?

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Yours truly, Eliza Dunn, Miss.

for he is truly his brother's keeper...

You truly are incorruptible, aren't you?

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Yours truly, Eliza Dunn, Miss.

Truly

Frequently asked questions: Genuinely vs Truly

What's the difference between Genuinely and Truly?

Genuinely: Truly or really, in an honest way. Truly: Really; in a sincere way.

Are Genuinely and Truly the same CEFR level?

Genuinely: B2, Truly: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Genuinely and Truly?

Genuinely: adverb, Truly: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Genuinely: There are some genuinely funny moments in the film. Truly: She is truly an amazing artist, and her work speaks volumes.

Can I use Genuinely and Truly interchangeably?

Not always. Genuinely and Truly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.