really
really
Pronunciation
/ˈriːəli/.
First Syllable (/ˈriː/):
/r/ - Voiced alveolar approximant (as in "red")
/iː/ - Long close front unrounded vowel (as in "fleece")
Second Syllable (/ə/):
/ə/ - Schwa, a mid-central unrounded vowel (as in "about")
Third Syllable (/li/):
/l/ - Voiced alveolar lateral approximant (as in "light")
/i/ - Close front unrounded vowel (as in "happy" or the "y" in "sky" at the end of a word)
Word Form Variations
Adverb:
Base form: really
Comparative: more really (though "more truly" or "more actually" might be preferred in some contexts for clarity, "more really" is grammatically possible when comparing degrees of "realness" or intensity).
Superlative: most really (similarly, "most truly" or "most actually" might be more common, but "most really" is possible).
As an adverb, "really" is used to:
Emphasize a statement: "I really am sorry."
Intensify an adjective or another adverb: "It was really good." "He runs really fast."
Refer to actual facts: "What really happened?"
Interjection:
"Really?" (to express surprise, disbelief, or to seek confirmation)
"Really." (to express agreement, affirmation, or sometimes displeasure/sarcasm)
Other related words that are different parts of speech:
While "really" itself doesn't change forms much, it's derived from and related to other words that do:
Noun:
Reality: (singular) "The reality of the situation."
Realities: (plural) "There are many realities."
Realness: (uncountable noun, referring to the state of being real)
Adjective:
Real: (base form) "a real problem"
More real: (comparative)
Most real: (superlative)
Verb:
Realize (to make real or to understand/become aware of)
Realizes (third-person singular present)
Realizing (present participle)
Realized (past tense, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: To a great extent or degree; very much; extremely.
This usage intensifies the meaning of an adjective, another adverb, or a verb, indicating a high level or significant amount.
Example: "The movie was really exciting." (modifies adjective)
Example: "She sings really beautifully." (modifies adverb)
Example: "I really appreciate your help." (modifies verb)
Synonyms: very, extremely, truly, genuinely, immensely, terribly (informal), awfully (informal), exceptionally, exceedingly, profoundly.
Antonyms: slightly, barely, hardly, minimally, scarcely, marginally, insignificantly, somewhat.
Definition 2: In actual fact or reality; truly; genuinely.
This usage emphasizes the truthfulness or authenticity of a statement, contrasting it with what might be imagined, believed, or pretended.
Example: "Did that really happen, or did I dream it?"
Example: "He didn't really mean to hurt your feelings."
Synonyms: actually, truly, genuinely, indeed, in fact, in reality, factually, authentically, verily (archaic).
Antonyms: supposedly, seemingly, apparently, hypothetically, theoretically, conceivably, arguably, ostensibly.
Definition 3: Used to emphasize a statement, often indicating certainty or strong belief.
This usage adds force to an assertion, making it more definite or convincing.
Example: "I really believe she's the right person for the job."
Example: "Really, you must try this dessert!"
Synonyms: certainly, absolutely, undoubtedly, without a doubt, definitely, surely, positively, unequivocally, assuredly.
Antonyms: doubtfully, questionably, uncertainly, vaguely, probably, possibly, perhaps, maybe.
Interjection
Definition 1: Expressing surprise, disbelief, or interest in response to something said.
Used as a standalone word or short phrase to react to new information, often with an interrogative tone.
Example: "I just won the lottery!" – "Really?"
Example: "She moved to Japan." – "Really! How interesting."
Synonyms: Indeed?, Seriously?, Genuinely?, Honestly?, No kidding?, Is that so?, You don't say!
Antonyms: I'm not surprised, Of course, Naturally, Obviously, Unsurprisingly, Predictably, Whatever.
Definition 2: Expressing affirmation, agreement, or sometimes mild exasperation/sarcasm.
Used to confirm understanding, show assent, or convey a sense of mild irritation or disbelief through intonation.
Example (agreement): "This is a great idea." – "Really."
Example (sarcasm): "You forgot my birthday again." – "Really." (said with a sigh)
Synonyms (affirmation): Absolutely, Indeed, Certainly, Truly, Yes, Right.
Synonyms (exasperation/sarcasm): Honestly!, Seriously!, Oh, come on!, Give me a break!, For real!
Antonyms (affirmation): No, Not at all, Absolutely not.
Antonyms (exasperation/sarcasm): (Antonyms here are less direct words, more a lack of that particular emotional response).
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a spurt of gritty dust from entering along with him. The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats. At one end of it a coloured poster, too large for indoor display, was pinned to the wall. It depicted simply an enormous face, more than a metre wide: the face of a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly handsome features. Winston made for the stairs. It was no use trying the lift. Even at the best of times it was seldom working, and at present the electric current was cut off during daylight hours. It was part of the economy drive. Down at street level, however, the wind was still really cold, even with the sun out." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, June 1949)
"You could really get lost in a book, couldn't you? So much more than just words on a page. It was a whole world waiting to be explored." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, June 1997)
Newspapers:
"Economists are really looking closely at inflation data to determine the next steps for interest rates." ( The Wall Street Journal)
"Local residents expressed that the new pedestrian crossing has really improved safety in the town center." ( The Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"The latest software update for the app has really streamlined the user interface, making it much more intuitive." ( TechCrunch)
"While the new movie has garnered mixed reviews, the lead actor's performance is really captivating." ( Vulture)
"I didn't think I'd enjoy the new strategy game as much as I did, but it's really quite addictive." ( PC Gamer)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "Are you really going to do that?" (Dialogue from Succession, Episode "Retired Number,")
Film: "This is really happening, isn't it?" (Dialogue from Oppenheimer)
Podcast: "Our guest today is a visionary who has really changed the landscape of renewable energy." ( The Joe Rogan Experience)
Song Lyrics: "I really want to be with you, just you." (Lyrics from "I Want You To Want Me" by Cheap Trick, 1977)
Video Game: "Did you really think you could defeat me?" (Dialogue from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
General Public Discourse:
"That concert last night was really amazing!" (Spoken conversation)
"I'm really tired today, I didn't sleep much." (Spoken conversation)
"Can you really believe what they said on the news?" (Spoken conversation)
"This coffee is really strong." (Spoken conversation)
10 Quotes Using Really
"It is only with the heart that one can see really rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince, 1943)
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be really satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." (Steve Jobs, Stanford University Commencement Address, June 2005)
"I really don't know what I'm doing." (Marilyn Monroe)
"If you want to make a statement, then you have to be really good." (Serena Williams)
"Do you really want to be happy? Then stop being so hard on yourself." (Dalai Lama XIV)
"I am really a most unhappy man." (King George III, upon learning of the American Declaration of Independence)
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960)
"It's a really big universe." (Carl Sagan)
"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. I really want to be the light from within." (Elisabeth Kübler-Ross)
"If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." (J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, 1951)
Etymology
The word "really" has a fascinating journey through language! It comes from the adjective "real" and the common adverb-forming ending "-ly".
Think of "real" meaning something that's true, actual, or truly existing – not imaginary. The word "real" itself has roots in Old French ("reel") and even further back to Late Latin ("realis"), which referred to "actual" things, derived from the Latin word "res", meaning "thing" or "matter."
So, when "really" first appeared in English around the early 14th century (circa 1300s-1400s), its original meaning was quite literal: "actually, in fact, or in a real manner." It was used to describe something that was genuinely present or truly happening, as opposed to something that was just pretend or imagined.
Interestingly, one of its very early uses was in a religious context, referring to the "real presence" of Christ in the Eucharist, emphasizing that it was a substance and not just symbolic.
Over time, "really" began to develop the more emphatic meanings we use today. By the early 15th century, it was used generally to mean "in fact." By the 1600s, it started being used purely for emphasis, like saying "indeed" or expressing surprise. The questioning use, like "Oh, really?", became common around 1815.
So, from its humble beginnings of meaning "in reality," "really" evolved to become a powerful word for emphasizing, intensifying, and even expressing disbelief or agreement in everyday conversation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Really
While "really" is more often used as an intensifier or a question, rather than in many fixed idiomatic phrases, here's a list that includes common uses, less common phrases, and some where "really" contributes to an idiomatic expression's effect, or uses synonyms for similar impact.
Phrases and Idioms Using "Really":
Really and truly: Emphasizes sincerity or truthfulness.
"I really and truly believe in what we're doing."
To be for real / To be really for real: To be genuine or authentic; also used interrogatively to express disbelief.
"Is this offer really for real?"
Get real!: An exclamation telling someone to be realistic or face facts. (Here "real" is the core, but "really" is implied in the urgency or intensity often used with it).
"You think you'll win the lottery without buying a ticket? Get real!"
How are you, really?: A deeper inquiry into someone's well-being beyond a superficial greeting.
"I know you said you're fine, but how are you, really?"
That's really something: Expresses admiration, surprise, or significance about something.
"She finished the marathon despite her injury; now that's really something."
Does it really matter?: Questions the importance or relevance of something.
"We can debate the exact shade of blue, but does it really matter?"
If you really must know...: Indicates reluctant disclosure of information.
"If you really must know, I'm going to the concert alone."
To not really know what hit you: To be completely overwhelmed or surprised by an event.
"The market crash was so sudden, investors didn't really know what hit them."
To really get into something: To become deeply involved or enthusiastic about an activity.
"Since he started playing guitar, he's really gotten into music."
What's really going on?: Seeks the true, underlying situation or cause.
"Everyone's acting strange; what's really going on?"
Related Phrases/Idioms (using synonyms for similar effect or emphasis):
For real: Similar to "really" in expressing truth or authenticity.
"Is that for real?"
Truly speaking: Being honest or candid.
"Truly speaking, I'm not happy with the outcome."
In all actuality: Emphasizing the actual truth of a situation.
"In all actuality, the plan failed due to lack of funding."
Plain truth: The simple, unembellished truth.
"The plain truth is, we ran out of time."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of really from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
