Dictionaries › English

really

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɪə.li/

The English word “really” has 8 meanings listed here.

adverb

  1. In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.
  2. Actually; in fact; in reality.
  3. Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).

interjection

  1. Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.
  2. A phatic confirmation by a listener, to signal active listening; mostly devoid of literal meaning, with the phatically contrived incredulity being merely formulaic.
  3. Indicating that what was just said was obvious and unnecessary; contrived incredulity
  4. Indicating affirmation, agreement.
  5. Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.

Etymology

From Middle English really, realy, rialliche, equivalent to real + -ly.

Keep exploring: in the interactive dictionary every word of a definition is a link. Open “really” there

More English words

About this dictionary

The English dictionary on Glottosphere has 650,529 entries with a page. Browse the English dictionary.

Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.