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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)

  1. (modal) Actually; in fact; in reality.
    "He really is a true friend." / "Really? What makes you so sure?"
  2. (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

Statistics

Most common English words before 1923: feel · behind · sn · #372: really · replied · making · towards

Interjection

really

  1. Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.
    A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.
    B: Really?
  2. (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.
  3. (colloquial, chiefly US) Indicating affirmation, agreement.
    A: That girl talks about herself way too much.
    B: Really. She's a nightmare.
  4. Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.
    Well, really! How rude.

Synonyms

Translations

References

  1. 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

Anagrams