truth 
/ˈtru:θ/ noun
plural truths /ˈtru:θ/ noun /ˈtru:ðz, ˈtru:θs/ 1 the truth : the real facts about something : the things that are true
▪ Are you telling (me) the truth? ▪ At some point you have to face the simple/hard/honest/plain/naked truth that we failed. ▪ Their explanation was simpler but came closer to the truth. ▪ The article explains the truth about global warming. ▪ A reporter soon discovered/revealed/uncovered the truth. ▪ Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? ▪ I know you think I don't care, but nothing could be further from the truth. [=that is absolutely not true] ▪ The truth of the matter is (that) you failed the exam and it's going to be reflected in your final grade. ▪ To tell (you) the truth, I liked her first book better than this one. [=I am being honest when I say that I liked her first book better] ▪ “When was the last time you went to New York?” “To tell you the truth, I don't remember.” [=I have to admit that I don't remember] ▪ I told her I liked the restaurant but the truth is that the food was pretty bad. = I told her I liked the restaurant but, truth be told/known, the food was pretty bad. 2 [noncount] : the quality or state of being true
▪ There's no truth in anything he says. [=nothing he says is true] ▪ I doubt the truth of their accusations. [=I doubt that their accusations are true] ▪ Her story contains a grain/kernel of truth but also lots of exaggeration. 3 [count] : a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true — usually plural ▪ Her experience taught her some basic/fundamental/eternal/universal truths about human nature. ▪ mathematical truths — see also half-truth, home truth, untruth
▪ Are you telling (me) the truth? ▪ At some point you have to face the simple/hard/honest/plain/naked truth that we failed. ▪ Their explanation was simpler but came closer to the truth. ▪ The article explains the truth about global warming. ▪ A reporter soon discovered/revealed/uncovered the truth. ▪ Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? ▪ I know you think I don't care, but nothing could be further from the truth. [=that is absolutely not true] ▪ The truth of the matter is (that) you failed the exam and it's going to be reflected in your final grade. ▪ To tell (you) the truth, I liked her first book better than this one. [=I am being honest when I say that I liked her first book better] ▪ “When was the last time you went to New York?” “To tell you the truth, I don't remember.” [=I have to admit that I don't remember] ▪ I told her I liked the restaurant but the truth is that the food was pretty bad. = I told her I liked the restaurant but, truth be told/known, the food was pretty bad.
▪ There's no truth in anything he says. [=nothing he says is true] ▪ I doubt the truth of their accusations. [=I doubt that their accusations are true] ▪ Her story contains a grain/kernel of truth but also lots of exaggeration.
bend the truth — see 1bend
in truth
: in fact : actually or really
▪ She said she was feeling fine, but in truth she was very ill.
▪ She said she was feeling fine, but in truth she was very ill.
moment of truth — see moment
