really
really Lexical Profile
really Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
In actual fact; in reality; without a doubt.
"Please tell me what really happened during the meeting."
To a great or high degree; very or thoroughly (used to emphasize an adjective, adverb, or verb).
"She was really pleased with the results of her final exam."
• interjection
Used in conversation to express interest, surprise, doubt, or mild protest.
"You're moving to Tokyo next month? Really?"
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal writing, 'really' is often considered too colloquial when used as a degree intensifier ('really cold') and is commonly replaced with 'very', 'truly', or 'genuinely'. Care should also be taken not to use the adjective 'real' in place of the adverb 'really' (e.g., 'real good' is informal dialect).
• Rhymes for really
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'real' (borrowed from Old French and Late Latin 'realis', from Latin 'res' meaning 'thing' or 'matter') combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.