really

[ree-uh-lee, ree-lee]

adverb

1. in reality; actually.

   to see things as they really are.

2. genuinely or truly.

   a really honest man.

3. indeed.

   Really, this is too much.

interjection

1. (used to express surprise, exasperation, etc.)

really

/ ˈrɪəlɪ /

adverb

1. in reality; in actuality; assuredly

   it's really quite harmless

2. truly; genuinely

   really beautiful

interjection

1. an exclamation of dismay, disapproval, doubt, surprise, etc

2. an exclamation of surprise or polite doubt

Word History and Origins

Origin of really¹

First recorded in 1400–50; real ¹ ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

I was so comfortable with him already that I forgot we didn’t really know each other yet.

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Outside of work, what’s paramount in Lachey’s life “is being a dad and being present for my kids, and really being involved in their life,” he says.

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“I was like, ‘F—, that’s really hard to execute,’” Crudup, 57, says with a self-deprecating laugh over Zoom from his New York apartment, wearing a hoodie and baseball cap.

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I thought my movie was in a jail cell, but is it really in the courtroom?

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“But it’s because nobody really on the Democratic side has really jumped out of the pack. It’s kind of a political vacuum at the moment.”

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Related Words

• absolutely 
• actually 
• certainly 
• easily 
• genuinely 
• honestly 
• indeed 
• legitimately www.thesaurus.com
• literally 
• surely 
• truly 
• undoubtedly 
• unquestionably 
• well