really

[ ree-uh-lee, ree-lee ]

adverb

1. in reality; actually:

   to see things as they really are.

2. genuinely or truly:

   a really honest man.

3. indeed:

   Really, this is too much.

interjection

1. (used to express surprise, exasperation, etc.)

really

/ ˈrɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. in reality; in actuality; assuredly

   it's really quite harmless

2. truly; genuinely

   really beautiful

interjection

1. an exclamation of dismay, disapproval, doubt, surprise, etc
2. not really?
   an exclamation of surprise or polite doubt

Usage

See very

Word History and Origins

Origin of really¹

First recorded in 1400–50; real ¹( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

Looking back, Smith says, “we were really toxic together. It wasn’t a healthy situation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Even if you pay 10% more for an item next year, for example, it could be better rather than buying something now that you end up not really needing.

From Salon

“These papers are a really a great step forward,” says Will Dichtel, a chemist at Northwestern University.

From Science Magazine

“The significant thing about Java,” Sahar said, “is Java came long before the ballroom was created, long before the Stonewall riots in New York, and so she was really a pioneer.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Fusion is really, really hard, and nature doesn't do you many favors," said Jason Parisi, a staff research physicist at the Lab and first author on the research paper.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• absolutely
• actually
• certainly
• easily
• genuinely
• honestly
• indeed
• legitimately
• literally
• surely
• truly
• undoubtedly
• unquestionably
• well