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

Each suite has its own floor, but the public spaces are where the hotel really shines. —Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 July 2025

For as all-encompassing as the laws of physics are in our daily lives, especially behind the wheel, humankind really has taken them for granted. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Which one ends up most closely resembling reality depends largely on whether Trump really is the TACO Man or the Tariff Man. —John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

As on the first album, for lack of a smarter term, there are those really propulsive songs, and then some songs that are quite pretty and melodic too. —Chris Willman, Variety, 14 July 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