sure‧ly S1 W2 / ʃɔli $ ʃʊrli / 副词

1 [句子副词] used to show that you think something must be true, especially when people seem to be disagreeing with you :

You must have heard about the riots, surely?

There must surely be some explanation.

Surely we can’t just stand back and let this happen?

2 surely not spoken used to show you cannot believe that something is true :

‘The chairman’s just handed in his resignation.’ ‘Surely not.’

3 formal certainly :

Such sinners will surely be punished.

4 American English old-fashioned used to say ‘yes’ to someone or to express agreement with them

→ slowly but surely at slowly ( 2 )