really
adverb
re·al·ly
ˈrē-(ə-)lē 
1
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
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
She is expected to be a centerpiece for the Wings — and, really, the entire league — after being selected first overall and rejoining her former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, in Texas.
—
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The Pixies had been gone for a long time, and as much as they’re beloved, your average person isn’t really aware of them.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
There’s a slight awkwardness to the film’s invitation, a fussy kind of table setting that offers some trite (though, not inaccurate) Hollywood satire to ease us toward what the movie is really about.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Today, that pay scale really hasn’t kept up with true costs — the hourly pay for a UPS package handler is reported at about $21, not even double over these nearly 60 years.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for really
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Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The Pixies had been gone for a long time, and as much as they’re beloved, your average person isn’t really aware of them.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
There’s a slight awkwardness to the film’s invitation, a fussy kind of table setting that offers some trite (though, not inaccurate) Hollywood satire to ease us toward what the movie is really about.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Today, that pay scale really hasn’t kept up with true costs — the hourly pay for a UPS package handler is reported at about $21, not even double over these nearly 60 years.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for really
Cite this Entry
“Really.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/really. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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