really

really — adverb

1. Used to show what is true in a situation, especially when people may have a diff

1.adverbA1
Definition

Used to show what is true in a situation, especially when people may have a different idea about what is true.

Example

People think our town is boring, but really it has a lot to offer.

sentence adverb at start of contrast clause

The two bags look the same, but really they are made from different materials.

Common collocations
  • but really
  • really it is
  • really they are
Synonyms
  • actually

    more common than 'really' when correcting a false belief

  • in fact

    slightly more formal; often introduces a fuller explanation

  • in reality

    stronger contrast between appearance and truth; more formal

Antonyms
  • supposedly

    describes what people believe rather than what is true

Grammar Patterns

really + [clause]

really before main verb (especially 'be')

Usage Note

In this sense, 'really' modifies the whole sentence and often appears at the beginning of a clause that contrasts with what was just said.

Common Mistakes

I really finished the work on time.
I actually finished the work on time.
When you mean 'in fact' to clarify what happened, use 'actually' before the verb. 'Really' before a main verb usually means 'very much' (sense 3).
Really, it is not a problem.' (when meaning 'truly')
It really is not a problem.
For the 'in fact' meaning, 'really' works best at the start of a clause or before 'be'; before other main verbs it can sound like the intensifier sense.

2. Used to make a statement or opinion stronger, showing that you are very sure abo

2.adverbA1
Definition

Used to make a statement or opinion stronger, showing that you are very sure about what you are saying.

Example

I really believe that Sumin made the right choice.

I really + [verb of belief]

We really need to leave now or we will miss the train.

Common collocations
  • really believe
  • really need
  • really think
  • really want
Synonyms
  • truly

    more formal; often used in written English

  • honestly

    emphasises sincerity and truthfulness

  • certainly

    focuses on the speaker's confidence rather than the statement's truth

Grammar Patterns

I/we really + [verb]

really + [verb]

really, + [clause]

Usage Note

This sense works with almost any main verb. It is especially common in affirmative statements where the speaker wants to show strong feeling about what they are saying.

Common Mistakes

I really don't mind if you come or not.' (when you mean you truly don't care)
I honestly don't mind.
'Really' with a negative can weaken the statement instead of strengthening it; 'honestly' works better for sincerity.
Do you really think so?' (when asking a polite question)
Do you honestly think so?
In polite questions, 'honestly' sounds more natural than 'really'.

3. Used before an adjective or another adverb to make it stronger, meaning 'very' o

3.adverbA2
Definition

Used before an adjective or another adverb to make it stronger, meaning 'very' or 'to a large degree'.

Example

The soup was really hot, so Jabari waited for it to cool down.

really + adjective

Noor drives really carefully when the roads are wet.

really + adverb

Common collocations
  • really good
  • really well
  • really nice
  • really hard
  • really fast
Synonyms
  • very

    slightly weaker than 'really' in spoken English; more neutral

  • extremely

    stronger than 'really'; more formal

  • so

    informal; common in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • slightly

    means 'to a small degree', the opposite of 'to a large degree'

Grammar Patterns

really + [adjective]

really + [adverb]

Usage Note

This sense must be followed by an adjective (e.g. 'really big') or an adverb (e.g. 'really quickly'). It cannot modify a noun or a verb on its own.

Common Mistakes

That is a really good.
That is really good.' or 'That is a really good book.
'Really' cannot modify a noun phrase ending in an adjective alone; it needs the noun to follow the adjective phrase.

❌ 'I really like it.' (when you mean 'very much') — This is actually correct in informal English, but 'really' before a verb is the EMHATIC sense (sense 2), not the INTENSIFIER sense. The INTENSIFIER sense only goes before adjectives and adverbs.

really — exclamation

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These four expressions all contrast appearance with truth, but they differ in use. 'Actually' is the most neutral and common in everyday speech when correcting a wrong assumption: 'He said he was busy, but actually he was just watching TV.' 'Really' (sense 1) adds a slightly stronger contrast and often introduces a whole clause: 'I thought the job would be easy, but really it was quite hard.' 'In fact' is a little more formal and typically introduces a fuller explanation: 'The plan seemed risky. In fact, it was the safest option.' 'In reality' creates the strongest contrast between perception and truth and is often used in writing: 'The town looks quiet, but in reality it has a busy nightlife.' For everyday conversation, 'actually' and 'really' are the best choices; for essays or reports, 'in fact' and 'in reality' sound more appropriate.

actually ↗really ↗in factin reality ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • really very
  • quite really

Phrases

  • really and truly
  • oh really
  • not really

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

'Really' comes from the adjective 'real' (meaning 'actual' or 'genuine') plus the suffix '-ly', which turns adjectives into adverbs. The word 'real' entered English from Old French 'reel', which came from Latin 'realis', meaning 'relating to things' or 'actual'. The earliest uses of 'really' (15th century) carried the meaning 'in reality, actually'. By the 17th century, it had developed into an intensifier meaning 'very' — similar to how speakers today might say 'really big' to mean 'very big.' The one-word exclamation 'Really?' emerged in the 18th century as a conversational response showing surprise or interest.