To be sureとは 意味・読み方・使い方

語源

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

副詞

to be sure (not comparable)

1. (idiomatic, informal, chiefly Ireland) Certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly, surely.

   I don't hate him. To be sure, we're not best buddies, but hate is a strong word.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:

     They call themselves gentlemen, I warrant you; but, as my first husband used to say, they should remember it is we that pay them. And to be sure it is very hard upon us to be obliged to pay them, and to keep 'um too, as we publicans are.

   • 1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume I, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 295:

     John spent the morning looking at these things; and, when it was mid-day, a bell rung, and his servant said, "Will you dine alone, sir, or with the large company?" - "With the large company, to be sure." replied John.

   • 1862, Wyndham Smith, Once a Week:

     “Good-night, Captain, many thanks. You did it uncommonly well; how kindly the old un swallowed the spice-nut, to be sure; and it is only one of many others he has swallowed within these two days. I am afraid in about another four-and-twenty hours they will begin to disagree with him unless his stomach is a very strong one.”

   • 1922 February 2, James Joyce, “[Episode 13]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC:

     But to be sure baby was as good as gold, a perfect little dote in his new fancy bib.

同意語

• absolutely, by all means, unquestionably

派生語

• well, to be sure

参考

• to be honest
• to be fair
• to be frank

Further reading

• “to be sure”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

アナグラム

• tuberose