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

Other younger-generation consumers say there’s really no advantage to using cash and complain that getting some wastes time. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025

The titular parlor game ensues… until one character winds up really, truly dead. —Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

Buttery and packed with spice, the Cajun compound butter really takes this turkey to the next level without being overly spicy. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025

Yes, the death count this season was huge, also think the death count of people who were really important to us. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 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