really

In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.

Adverb

  1. In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.
    • We are to believe that by an extraordinary Conception by Means of the holy Ghost he in an extraordinary MANNER, (unknown to us) really assumed Flesh, and was by her nourished in the Womb and in due Time born in a...
    • If we take the phenomenal world as it strikes our senses, in all its varied and wonderful powers and aspects; as the mere symbol of the Divine Presence and power, that is, according to Christ, ever in, through, and over...
    • Thus Brahman must be described as ‘really real’, while a rope, or a person, or God Himself, is ‘unreally real’. And it is only the Vedantin who can distinguish the real from the unreal, for to others all seems real. -...
  2. Actually; in fact; in reality.
    • "He really is a true friend." / "Really? What makes you so sure?"
  3. Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).
    • But ma, I really, really want to go to the show!
    • It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and...
    • There was also hairdressing: hairdressing, too, really was hairdressing in those times — no running a comb through it and that was that. It was curled, frizzed, waved, put in curlers overnight, waved with hot tongs;[…]....

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(H)reh₁-der. Proto-Indo-European *(H)reh₁ís Proto-Italic *reis Latin rēs Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Late Latin -ālis Late Latin reālisder. Old French reelbor. Middle English real Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly Middle English really English really From Middle English really, realy, rialliche, equivalent to real + -ly.

Forms

more really most really real-ly reälly

Synonyms

actually in fact indeed truly so

Derived

not really really truly

Interjection

  1. Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.
    • A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.
    • B: Really?

    1. (informal, by extension) A phatic confirmation by a listener, to signal active listening; mostly devoid of literal meaning, with the phatically contrived incredulity being merely formulaic.

      • A: You know, I saw Oliver the other day.
      • B: Really? What's he been up to?
      • "Literally" is not the only word that has lost touch with reality: look at "really." That word also was meant to describe a state of reality, or literalness. Even as a substitute for "Is that so?," the word asked, "Is...
  2. 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?
  3. Indicating affirmation, agreement.
    • A: That girl talks about herself way too much.
    • B: Really. She's a nightmare.
  4. Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.
    • Well, really! How rude.

Forms

real-ly reälly

Synonyms

gosh is that so no kidding no really no way oh dear oh my oh really you don't say wow actually

Verb

  1. Alternative form of re-ally.
    • She wished since long to die and to be reallied with her children in heaven. - 1917, German American Annals, page 69:
    • Following the election, those who had publicly opposed Harding hastened to really themselves with Republicans who had remained in the party. - 1997, Warren F. Kuehl, Lynne Dunn, Keeping the Covenant: American...

Origin

From re- + ally.

Forms

reallies reallying reallied