truthfully

Truthfully is an adverb used to describe the manner in which something is stated or perceived, signaling that the speaker intends honesty or accuracy. It functions similarly to other adverbs of manner such as honestly or frankly, and is most often used when a speaker wants to emphasize candor, admit fault, or present information with moral weight.

The word is formed from the adjective truthful, which itself derives from truth and the suffix -ful. The adverbial form is created by adding -ly to truthful, following a common pattern in English for turning adjectives into adverbs. The root word truth comes from Old English treowe, linked to concepts of fidelity and certainty.

In usage, truthfully can appear at the beginning of a statement or mid-sentence to highlight sincerity. In formal writing, it is generally acceptable but some editors prefer simpler choices such as honestly or frankly to avoid potential rhetorical emphasis. It can also carry a slightly stronger or more formal tone than simply “honestly.”

Examples: Truthfully, I did not realize the meeting had been moved. Truthfully speaking, the data does not support the conclusion.

Related terms include truth, truthful, and honesty, as well as phrases like “to tell the truth” and “honestly speaking.”