WordGarden.iotrustfully
B1Pronunciation
UK
US
- /trˈʌstfəli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a trusting or confiding way
Beyond the definition
To act trustfully means to behave in a way that shows trust in someone or something. It is not just a feeling inside; it is trust that can be seen in what you do. A child might hand a precious toy trustfully to a parent, believing it will be kept safe. Or you might share a secret trustfully with a close friend, believing they will keep it private.
The word suggests openness and a willingness to rely on another person without much fear or doubt. It is often used to describe how someone acts, not just what they feel. You can trust someone in theory, but you act trustfully when you let them hold something valuable or when you speak to them in an open, relying way.
The adverb "trustfully" describes the way someone acts when they show trust in a person, thing, or situation. It goes beyond simply having trust in your mind; it is about showing that trust through your behavior. Think of a child placing a hand in an adult's hand and walking forward trustfully. The trust is visible in the action itself.
"Trustfully" often carries a sense of openness and vulnerability. When you share something personal trustfully with someone, you are not just giving information; you are showing that you believe they will treat it with care. In this way, the word often suggests reliance, emotional openness, and a lack of suspicion.
You might say, "She looked at him trustfully," meaning her expression showed belief in him and no fear of being harmed or misled. Or, "He handed over the letter trustfully," showing that he believed the other person would deal with it honestly. While "trust" is a noun or verb describing a feeling or belief, "trustfully" describes how that belief appears in speech, movement, expression, or action.
So, if someone behaves in an open, relying, and believing way toward another person or thing, they are behaving trustfully. The word is mainly about the outward manner of trust rather than the inner idea alone.
Examples
- 1
Family
The child looked up at her father trustfully.
- Usage
trustfully is more common in writing than in everyday speech
- 2
Animal behavior
After a few minutes, the shy dog came closer and rested its head on my knee trustfully.
- 3
Friendship
Even after the mistake, he turned trustfully to his oldest friend for advice.
See also
Similar
- trustingly
- with trust
Shades of meaning
- confidently
- credulously
- unsuspectingly
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- smile trustfully
- look trustfully at someone
- speak trustfully
Word family
Explore
- trustfulness
- gullibility
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- trustfullyadverb