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URL: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/really

⇱ REALLY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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1
a
: in reality : actually
things as they really are
there was nothing peculiar about her doing this, reallyβ€”πŸ‘ Image
Peter Taylor
b
: truly, unquestionably β€”used as an intensifier
a really beautiful day
c
: very sense 1
look really close
he runs really fast
2
β€”used to emphasize an assertion
you really should read Yeats
really, you're being ridiculous

Synonyms of really

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The property really comes alive at dusk, so stick around for it. β€”πŸ‘ Image
CondΓ© Nast, CondΓ© Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026 This practice exiles him completely from the realm of literary fiction; some might even question whether Patterson is really a writer. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026 This season, for Kitty, for Yuri, for all of our characters, is really about all of them being on the precipice of adulthood, and transitioning in this final year of being seniors in high school into being adults. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026 Common settings seem to be buried a few menu layers deeper than on other TVs, and some are really hard to find. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for really

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

Phrases Containing really

Rhymes for really

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œReally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/really. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

really

adverb
re·​al·​ly ˈrΔ“-(Ι™-)lΔ“ πŸ‘ How to pronounce really (audio)
ˈri(-Ι™)l-Δ“
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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