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

• very
• actually
• truly

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

The same can’t quite be said to the rear seat area due to the sportback sloping roof, though headroom is only really maxed out for folks over six-feet tall (like yours truly), otherwise shoulder and leg room are surprisingly good. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025

Mensik broke Michelsen twice on the way to a 4-0 lead, thanks to a number of good backhand shots, and really was never in any danger of losing during a massively lopsided first set that wasn’t even as close as the 6-1 score might indicate. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025

There have been really amazing responses and anecdotes. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025

These fishes also really highlight the diversity of snailfishes in the abyss. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 19 Sep. 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