really

re·al·ly

Margie really enjoys growing flowers in her greenhouse.

adverb

Really is defined as in fact or actually.

An example of really used as an adverb is is someone saying they really want to do something, meaning they want to do something very much.

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"really." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Really>.

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really. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Really

really

in reality; in fact; actually
truly or genuinely: a really hot day

Origin of really

Middle English rialliche: see real and -ly

indeed: used to express surprise, irritation, doubt, etc.

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MLA Style

"really." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Really>.

APA Style

really. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Really

really

adverb

In actual truth or fact: There isn't really a lake there; it's just a mirage.
To a great degree; very much: I would really like to meet your sister.
Very; utterly: That was a really enjoyable evening.
Without a doubt; indeed: Really, I don't want more dessert.

interjection

Used to express surprise, skepticism, displeasure, or interest: “I've been reading her diary.” “Really?”

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"really." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 20 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Really>.

APA Style

really. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Really

Adverb

(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!

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.

Interjection

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.

Origin

real +"Ž -ly

Verb

(third-person singular simple present re-allies, present participle re-allying, simple past and past participle re-allied)

To bring together again; to ally anew.

Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.