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

Don’t believe rumors about anyone, but really about women. —Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026

The way coffee interacts with adenosine and cortisol is really complex, and can differ from person to person, depending on their biology, circumstances, and environment. —Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026

This is a research area that really needs private—billionaire—philanthropy. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026

Atlético Madrid really turned up and made a game of it, pushing Arsenal to its limits. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 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