really

adverb

re·​al·​ly ˈrē-(ə-)lē How to pronounce really (audio)
Synonyms of reallynext
1
a
: in reality : actually
things as they really are
there was nothing peculiar about her doing this, reallyPeter Taylor
b
: truly, unquestionably
used as an intensifier
a really beautiful day
c
: very sense 1
look really close
he runs really fast
2
used to emphasize an assertion
you really should read Yeats
really, you're being ridiculous

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.
Been a great year overall in my life in the last year, and this is a really good part of that, coming here and being part of this team. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026 That really is a disaster scenario. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Approaching the Grammy Awards, which have their own complicated history with the genre, here's where rap really stands. Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026 The My Cottage set piece in the book and the episode and the season is really is my favorite part of the story in a lot of ways. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 29 Jan. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Really.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/really. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

really

adverb
re·​al·​ly ˈrē-(ə-)lē How to pronounce really (audio)
ˈri(-ə)l-ē
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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