DictionaryAI

really

RI-lee/ˈɹɪli/UKRI-uh-lee/ˈɹɪə.li/

5 meanings of really

Practice

  1. 1
    veryadverbcolloquial
    To a great degree; used before an adjective to mean very, and with a verb to mean very much.

    Her presentation was really impressive.

    He really wants to move to a bigger city.

    UsageWith verbs it works alone: I really like it (not incorrect: very like). Really don't like is stronger than don't really like.

    Similarvery, truly, extremely

  2. 2
    adverbmodal
    In actual fact or reality, rather than merely in appearance, imagination, pretense, or someone's claim.

    The painting everyone admired was really a forgery.

    What really happened that night remains a mystery.

    Similargenuinely

  3. 3
    interjectioncolloquial
    Used in response to what someone has said to express interest or surprise, to ask for confirmation, or to convey doubt or skepticism, sometimes sarcastically; also used routinely to show one is listening.

    "They're moving to Alaska next month." "Really? They never mentioned it to me."

    "This car gets a hundred miles per gallon." "Really? I'd want to see proof of that."

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    disapprovalinterjectioncolloquial
    Used to express displeasure or disapproval at another person's behavior or remark.

    "Well, really! There's no need for that kind of language at the dinner table."

    He glanced at the phone she had answered mid-conversation and muttered, "Really?"

    UsageOften Well, really!, followed by a complaint about what someone did.

    Similarhonestly

  2. 5
    strong agreementinterjectioncolloquialUS
    Used to indicate emphatic agreement with or affirmation of what another speaker has just said.

    "The traffic on this highway gets worse every year." "Really. I've started leaving an hour early."

    "They should have promoted her ages ago." "Really! She runs the whole department already."

    UsageSaid with a falling tone, unlike the questioning Really?; close to you can say that again.

    Similarindeed, absolutely, exactly

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English really (also realy, rialliche), formed from "real" plus the suffix "-ly".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

  • Really derives from Middle English really, also spelled realy and rialliche, and is formed from real plus -ly. en.wiktionary.org