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 of really

• 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

Uber, Deliveroo, Upwork, Doordash, Meituan, and Didi cut across different sectors, but there are really only two types of platform. —Literary Hub, 28 May 2026

That was really the story of the opening period for the home team, and has been the story of the series over the past three games. —Arpon Basu, New York Times, 28 May 2026

The opportunity to be in the company of so many creators and those supportive of creators — the retailers who collaborate to share our stories — is really exciting. —Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 May 2026

For Chicago residents, next February’s municipal elections are really a referendum on competency. —Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing really

• not really

Rhymes for really

• billie
• billy
• chilli
• chilly
• dilly
• filly
• frilly
• gillie
• gilly
• hilly
• lily
• philly

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