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

Suddenly, the bowling alley club seems like a really good idea. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella The FIFA World Cup is really bringing its first Halftime Show to another level by initially announcing global superstars BTS, Madonna, and Shakira for the show. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026

Tweens and teens will appreciate that dramatic angle more, and the film really hits its groove when Johnson's Maui shows up. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026

All the way from Prohibition, when women were allowed to advocate for something that was considered sort of a Christian value, and, really—that toothpaste could never be put back in the tube, right? — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 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