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really

adverb
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re·​al·​ly | \ ˈrē-(ə-)lē How to pronounce really (audio) \

Definition of really

1a : 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 intensifiera really beautiful day
c : very sense 1 look really close he runs really fast
2 —used to emphasize an assertionyou really should read Yeatsreally, you're being ridiculous
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about really

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web Deep down, both these couples really do love each other, whereas Marie (Bérénice Bejo), the protagonist of After Love, has already given up on her spouse. — J.r. Jones, Chicago Reader, "Marriage is too close for comfort in After Love and I Do . . . Until I Don’t," 30 Aug. 2017 Drawn in cursive lettering above the bar, the menu includes standards like espresso, drip coffee, and cappuccino—and the baristas really like to show off their latte art, too. — Kristine Hansen, Vogue, "Is Phoenix the Coffee Capital of the Southwest?," 29 Aug. 2017 What really excited me was that a large portion of the people in our nation had bonded together to share in this experience. — Jane Napier Neely, La Cañada Valley Sun, "The Valley Line: She’s ‘all-a-thrill’ following Pasadena Pops Gerswhin concert, partial eclipse experiences," 28 Aug. 2017 And has Buckleyite conservatism — which is undoubtedly in a crisis as evidenced by the shouting, curses, and stormings-out — really and finally cracked up? — John O'sullivan, National Review, "Did William F. Buckley’s Conservative Project End in Failure?," 20 July 2017 The exhibit could have used some more concrete examples of Graham's temper, referred to throughout but not really detailed. — Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "'Bill Graham' rock and roll exhibit at the Holocaust Museum is a hit," 19 July 2017 Getting another power bat, also getting two short-inning guys who can make our bullpen really versatile. — Pat Borzi, New York Times, "Yankees’ Reinforcements Arrive, but to No Avail," 19 July 2017 And, while the bosses at Scarlet magazine are good-hearted and faithfully mentor their assistants, is that really an accurate, across-the-board representation of reality? — Clio Chang, New Republic, "The Sex and the City of the Trump Era?," 19 July 2017 Well, white people really don’t want to listen to black music.’ — Danielle Jackson, Longreads, "Why the “Black Grateful Dead” Thrives Outside of Top 40 Radio," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'really.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of really

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

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Time Traveler for really

Time Traveler

The first known use of really was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Really.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/really. Accessed 6 December 2019.

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More Definitions for really

really

adverb
How to pronounce really (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of really

—used to refer to what is true or real
: without question or doubt
: to a great degree

See the full definition for really in the English Language Learners Dictionary

really

adverb
re·​al·​ly | \ ˈrē-ə-lē How to pronounce really (audio) , ˈrē-lē \

Kids Definition of really

1 : in fact She didn't really mean it.
2 : without question It's a really fine day.

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More from Merriam-Webster on really

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for really

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with really

Spanish Central: Translation of really

Nglish: Translation of really for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of really for Arabic Speakers

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