really

adverb

re·​al·​ly ˈrē-(ə-)lē 

1

a

: in reality : actually

things as they really are

there was nothing peculiar about her doing this, really

—Peter Taylor

b

: truly, unquestionably

—used as an intensifier

a really beautiful day

c

: very sense 1

look really close

he runs really fast

2

—used to emphasize an assertion

you really should read Yeats

really, you're being ridiculous

Synonyms

• actually
• authentically
• certifiably
• genuinely
• truly
• veritably
• very

Examples of really in a Sentence

The dog runs really fast.

The water is really hot.

She's a really nice person.

I had a really good time at the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

One example is a really old buck that barely participates in the rut. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 22 Nov. 2024

Vice President Harris and Governor Waltz really just became a ticket. —John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

This wasn’t just a costume for the film, men really did tend to wear pajamas more during the mid-20th century. —Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

There was a lot of performance art – really weird, interesting, out-there performance theaters were going. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing really

• not really

Kids Definition

really

adverb

re·​al·​ly ˈrē-(ə-)lē 

ˈri(-ə)l-ē

1

: in actual fact : actually

didn't really mean it

2

: without question : truly

a really beautiful day

3

: very entry 2 sense 2

look really close

he runs really fast

4

: to be honest : frankly