really
really /ˈriːli/
adverb
-
(
![](/Content/images/star-small.png)
)
In accordance with truth, fact or reality
(
veritably
, genuinely
, really
, truly
)
in accordance with truth, fact or reality
She was now truly American
she was now truly American
A genuinely open society
a genuinely open society
They don't really listen to us
they don't really listen to us
-
(
![](/Content/images/star-small.png)
)
In actual fact
(
actually
, really
)
in actual fact
To be nominally but not actually independent
to be nominally but not actually independent
No one actually saw the shark
no one actually saw the shark
Large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
-
Used as intensifiers; real' is sometimes used informally for really'; rattling' is informal
(
rattling
, really
, real
, very
)
used as intensifiers; real' is sometimes used informally for really'; rattling' is informal
She was very gifted
she was very gifted
He played very well
he played very well
A really enjoyable evening
a really enjoyable evening
I'm real sorry about it
I'm real sorry about it
A rattling good yarn
a rattling good yarn
-
In fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers)
(
really
, truly
, in truth
)
in fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers)
In truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire
in truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire
Really, you shouldn't have done it
really, you shouldn't have done it
A truly awful book
a truly awful book
interjection
-
(
)
Colloquial expressions denoting either genuine or feigned surprise or interest.
(
izzit
[Informal, South Africa] , really
)
Colloquial expressions denoting either genuine or feigned surprise or interest.