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

Brown, Marsden, Nicholson and the rest of the cast really nail it, and the writing is solid throughout. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Thankfully, all the community has been really supportive. —Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025

And Albert really rules: while other European countries have monarchs as symbolic heads of state, Monaco’s government is a hereditary and constitutional monarchy. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025

Pairing Reed with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and mixing them with an aggressive pass rush, would be really good. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing really

• not really

Rhymes for really

• bacilli
• tranquilly
• billie
• billy
• chilli
• chilly
• dilly
• filly
• frilly
• gillie
• gilly
• hilly

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