really

adverb re·al·ly \ ˈrē-(ə-)lē \

Definition of really

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 1

look really close

he runs really fast

2 —used to emphasize an assertion

you really should read Yeats

really, you're being ridiculous

See really defined for English-language learners

See really defined for kids

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 of really from the Web

And has Buckleyite conservatism — which is undoubtedly in a crisis as evidenced by the shouting, curses, and stormings-out — really and finally cracked up?

— john o'sullivan, National Review, "Did William F. Buckley’s Conservative Project End in Failure?," 20 July 2017
The exhibit could have used some more concrete examples of Graham's temper, referred to throughout but not really detailed.

— steve johnson, chicagotribune.com, "'Bill Graham' rock and roll exhibit at the Holocaust Museum is a hit," 19 July 2017
Getting another power bat, also getting two short-inning guys who can make our bullpen really versatile.

— pat borzi, New York Times, "Yankees’ Reinforcements Arrive, but to No Avail," 19 July 2017
And, while the bosses at Scarlet magazine are good-hearted and faithfully mentor their assistants, is that really an accurate, across-the-board representation of reality?

— clio chang, New Republic, "The Sex and the City of the Trump Era?," 19 July 2017
Well, white people really don’t want to listen to black music.’

— danielle jackson, Longreads, "Why the “Black Grateful Dead” Thrives Outside of Top 40 Radio," 19 July 2017
Deep down, both these couples really do love each other, whereas Marie (Bérénice Bejo), the protagonist of After Love, has already given up on her spouse.

— j.r. jones, Chicago Reader, "Marriage is too close for comfort in After Love and I Do . . . Until I Don’t," 30 Aug. 2017
Drawn in cursive lettering above the bar, the menu includes standards like espresso, drip coffee, and cappuccino—and the baristas really like to show off their latte art, too.

— kristine hansen, Vogue, "Is Phoenix the Coffee Capital of the Southwest?," 29 Aug. 2017
What really excited me was that a large portion of the people in our nation had bonded together to share in this experience.

— jane napier neely, La Cañada Valley Sun, "The Valley Line: She’s ‘all-a-thrill’ following Pasadena Pops Gerswhin concert, partial eclipse experiences," 28 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'really.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of really

15th century

really Synonyms

Synonyms

actually, authentically, certifiably, genuinely, very, truly, veritably

Antonyms

professedly, supposedly

Related Words

accurately, exactly, just, precisely, right, sharp, smack-dab, squarely; almost, nearly, practically, virtually; literally, positively, simply

Near Antonyms

apparently, ostensibly, outwardly, plausibly, seemingly

REALLY Defined for English Language Learners

really

adverb

Definition of really for English Language Learners

—used to refer to what is true or real
: without question or doubt
: to a great degree

REALLY Defined for Kids

really

adverb re·al·ly \ ˈrē-ə-lē , ˈrē-lē \

Definition of really for Students

1 : in fact

She didn't really mean it.

2 : without question

It's a really fine day.

Learn More about really

See words that rhyme with really Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for really Spanish Central: Translation of really Nglish: Translation of really for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of really for Arabic speakers

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Definition of really

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Examples of really in a Sentence

Recent Examples of really from the Web

First Known Use of really

really Synonyms

Synonyms

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Related Words

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REALLY Defined for English Language Learners

really

Definition of really for English Language Learners

REALLY Defined for Kids

really

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