really

adverb

re·​al·​ly ˈrē-(ə-)lē How to pronounce really (audio)
1
a
: in reality : actually
things as they really are
there was nothing peculiar about her doing this, reallyPeter 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

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 But there, if there’s a rule in place, it is really followed. Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2024 The answer is that King can give you her humor, her steel backbone, her savvy, her sense of righteousness, and her conviction that power really did belong to the people. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024 Then Ashley started to get really sick, vomiting a lot. Rachel Scott, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 Tube wells have really only been around for just over 150 years, Frisbie said, and populations drinking deep groundwater on a widespread basis is a relatively new phenomenon. Laura Paddison, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 Liz Gehringer, President & CEO, Anywhere Franchise Brands, Anywhere Real Estate Our mission is really to provide more competition for the Department of Defense. Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2024 At least two are highly complicated watches in precious metals, the Bao Dai and the Ref. 4113 Split-Seconds—the type of timepiece Rolex no longer really produces, with the exception perhaps of the Sky-Dweller. Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024 But what is Larry really tilting against, beyond his own inconvenience? Boris Kachka, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 But is menopause really to blame for women’s midlife weight gain? Andrea Kane, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'really.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of really was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near really

Cite this Entry

“Really.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/really. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

really

adverb
re·​al·​ly ˈrē-(ə-)lē How to pronounce really (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on really

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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