really
Americanadverb
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in reality; actually.
to see things as they really are.
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genuinely or truly.
a really honest man.
-
indeed.
Really, this is too much.
interjection
adverb
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in reality; in actuality; assuredly
it's really quite harmless
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truly; genuinely
really beautiful
interjection
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an exclamation of dismay, disapproval, doubt, surprise, etc
-
an exclamation of surprise or polite doubt
Etymology
Origin of really
First recorded in 1400–50; real 1 ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
The adverb really refers to something actual or genuine. If your ring is really pure gold, does that mean he really likes you? Although the actual origin of really is unknown, it was first used in the 15th Century in the Eucharist, referring to the actual presence of Christ, and that definition holds today. Another use of the word, that of a questioning interjection ("Oh, really?"), was first recorded in 1815 and carries with it a sense of disbelief. Oh, really? You're late to work because the bus was attacked by a pack of wild boars? Do you really expect your boss to believe that?
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“With all the access to technology, you can listen to anybody who doesn’t necessarily know what they’re talking about. It’s really important to hear from people that we know we can trust.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026
“For a lot of moves that we do in freight, like moving back and forth from two points that are only a few miles apart, electric is a really great technology,” Cohen said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 21, 2026
The truth is, eating out, especially in New York City, is really expensive.
From Salon • Jun. 21, 2026
Whether our young football anorak will remember the tournament too, who knows, and it doesn't really matter.
From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026
“I had really bad cramps that day, and Mrs. Bicker said I didn’t have to hand anything in.”
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
