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

Unloading about the time-travel stuff is important, but what really lifts some of the burden from Julia’s shoulders is being able to talk about Claire with Davina. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026

The second-year starting linebacker was an all-conference selection last season and has really turned it up a notch as a senior. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Maybe the next really useful social app will be the one that gives you a good reason to leave. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

But this just felt like a really nice throughline from the opening of the raven flying across America, dropping the invitations, and this is like their RSVP. — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 18 Sep. 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