not really
idiom
—used to say "no" in a way that is not very forceful or definite
"Was the movie good?" "Not really."
"Do you want to go to a movie?" "No, not really."
Examples of not really in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The episode begins with a mini-challenge that is not really a mini-challenge but is instead just an opportunity for Lexi to dump on Suzie.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
So, the teams that are too direct, this is not really my type of football.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Sure, there’s not really that much to do and see in the open world beyond fighting monsters, yet swimming its oceans, climbing its mountains, and braving its deadly depths feels like an exciting adventure anyway.
—Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
That big-box retailer does not really need your birthdate to enroll you in its loyalty program.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
So, the teams that are too direct, this is not really my type of football.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Sure, there’s not really that much to do and see in the open world beyond fighting monsters, yet swimming its oceans, climbing its mountains, and braving its deadly depths feels like an exciting adventure anyway.
—Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
That big-box retailer does not really need your birthdate to enroll you in its loyalty program.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not really
Cite this Entry
“Not really.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20really. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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