really

English Online Dictionary. What means really‎? What does really mean?

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English really, realy, rialliche, equivalent to real +‎ -ly.

Alternative forms

• real-ly, reälly (both nonstandard)

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɹɪə.li/, [ˈɹʷɪə̯lɪ], [-li], [ˈɹʷɪː-]
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɹɪli/, /ˈɹili/, /ˈɹi.əli/
• (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /ˈɹɪə.liː/, [ˈɹʷeə̯ɫiː], [ˈɹʷiə̯-]
  • Homophone: rarely
• (obsolete) IPA^(key): /ˈɹeɪlɪ/
• Hyphenation: re‧al‧ly, real‧ly
• Rhymes: -iːli

Adverb

really (comparative more really, superlative most really)

1. (literal) In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.
2. (modal) Actually; in fact; in reality.

3. (informal, as an intensifier) Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).

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.

Alternative forms

• (in a way or manner that is real, not unreal): real-ly

Synonyms

• (actually): actually, in fact, indeed, truly; see also Thesaurus:actually
• (colloquial, as an intensifier): so

Derived terms

• not really

Translations

Interjection

really

1. (informal) Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.

   A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.

   B: Really?

   1. (informal, by extension) A phatic confirmation by a listener, to signal active listening; mostly devoid of literal meaning, with the phatically contrived incredulity being merely formulaic.

      A: You know, I saw Oliver the other day.

      B: Really? What's he been up to?
2. (informal, 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. (informal, chiefly US) Indicating affirmation, agreement.

   A: That girl talks about herself way too much.

   B: Really. She's a nightmare.

4. (informal) Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.

Usage notes

For the phatic sense, alternatives such as wow or gosh avoid a miscue whereby a speaker mistakes an active listener's really for genuine surprise or incredulity.

Synonyms

• (incredulity, phatically contrived incredulity, or in ironic/sarcastic sense): gosh, is that so, no kidding, no really, no way, oh dear, oh my, oh really, you don't say, wow
• (affirmation, agreement): actually (Philippines)

Translations

References

Etymology 2

From re- +‎ ally.

Verb

really (third-person singular simple present reallies, present participle reallying, simple past and past participle reallied)

1. Alternative form of re-ally

Anagrams

• rallye, y'all're, yaller