Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Really
Re′al-lyˊ
(rā′äl-lēˊ)
, adv.
Royally.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Re′al-ly
(rē′al-ly̆)
, adv.
In a real manner; with or in reality; actually; in truth.
Whose anger is
really
but a short fit of madness. Swift.
☞ Really is often used familiarly as a slight corroboration of an opinion or a declaration.
Why,
really
, sixty-five is somewhat old. Young.
Webster 1828 Edition
Really
RE'ALLY
, adv.1.
With actual existence.2.
In truth; in fact; not in appearance only; as things really evil.The anger of the people is really a short fit of madness.
In this sense, it is used familiarly as a slight corroboration of an opinion or declaration.
Why really, sixty five is somewhat old.
Definition 2024
really
really
See also: re-ally
English
Adverb
really (comparative more really, superlative most really)
- (modal) Actually; in fact; in reality.
- "He really is a true friend." / "Really? What makes you so sure?"
- (informal, as an intensifier) Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).
- But ma, I really, really want to go to the show!
- 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 10, in The Mirror and the Lamp:
- It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.
- 1977, Agatha Christie, An Autobiography, Part II, chapter4:
- There was also hairdressing: hairdressing, too, really was hairdressing in those times — no running a comb through it and that was that. It was curled, frizzed, waved, put in curlers overnight, waved with hot tongs; […].
Usage notes
- Like its synonyms, really is, in practice, often used to preface an opinion, rather than a fact. (See also usage notes for actually.)
- Increasingly people are recognising what's really important is having children.[1]
Synonyms
Translations
actually
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informally, as an intensifier; very, very much
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Statistics
Most common English words before 1923: feel · behind · sn · #372: really · replied · making · towards
Interjection
really
- Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.
- A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.
- B: Really?
- (colloquial, sarcastic, typically exaggerated question.) Indicating that what was just said was obvious and unnecessary; contrived incredulity
- A: I've just been reading Shakespeare - he's one of the best authors like, ever!
- B: Really.
- (colloquial, chiefly US) Indicating affirmation, agreement.
- A: That girl talks about herself way too much.
- B: Really. She's a nightmare.
- Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.
- Well, really! How rude.
Synonyms
- (contrived incredulity, or in ironic / sarcastic sense): you don't say, no kidding, oh really, no really
Translations
indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information
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sarcastic, typically exaggerated question
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indicating affirmation, agreement
indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour
References
- ↑ Marriner, C (15-01-2005), “The Sydney Morning Herald article 'When men turn clucky'”, in (Please provide the title of the work), The Sydney Morning Herald, retrieved 2009-04-12