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
But our other kids have not really been into…
Kaavia: There’s so many kids
Union: …school dances and homecomings.
—
Jessica Iavazzi, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Instead, Cameron outlines a vision where more focused AI products help filmmakers create their visions more fully, arguing that AI giants like OpenAI and, yes, even Meta, are not really competing for Hollywood’s business.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for not really
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Jessica Iavazzi, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Instead, Cameron outlines a vision where more focused AI products help filmmakers create their visions more fully, arguing that AI giants like OpenAI and, yes, even Meta, are not really competing for Hollywood’s business.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
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
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 2 May. 2025.
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