surely

UK: /ˈʃʊə^rli/ US: /ˈʃʊrli, ˈʃɝ-/ ,(shŏŏr′lē, shûr′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sure•ly /ˈʃʊrli, ˈʃɜr-/   adv. 

1. firmly;
   without stumbling:
   He walked slowly but surely to the door.
2. inevitably or without fail:
   Things will surely fall apart.
3. undoubtedly, assuredly, or certainly:
   Surely she knows what she's doing.
4. (used for emphasis, esp. when contradicting another statement) assuredly:
   Surely you are mistaken.
5. (used to answer a question) yes;
   indeed:
   "May I wait inside?''—"Surely.''

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sure•ly  (shŏŏr′lē, shûr′-), adv. 

1. firmly;
   unerringly;
   without missing, slipping, etc.
2. undoubtedly, assuredly, or certainly:
   The results are surely encouraging.
3. (in emphatic utterances that are not necessarily sustained by fact) assuredly:
   Surely you are mistaken.
4. inevitably or without fail:
   Slowly but surely the end approached.
5. yes, indeed:
   Surely, I'll go with you!

• Middle English surliche. See sure, -ly 1300–50

Usage

2. See sure. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

surely / ˈʃʊəlɪ ˈʃɔː-/ adverb

1. without doubt; assuredly
2. without fail; inexorably (esp in the phrase slowly but surely)
3. (sentence modifier) am I not right in thinking that?; I am sure that: surely you don't mean it?
4. in a sure manner
5. safely; securely
6. (sentence substitute) willingly; of course; yes