† reallyadv.1
Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
Royally, regally; (also) nobly, splendidly, magnificently. Cf. rially adv. Dict. Older Sc. Tongue notes that quot. 1633 may perhaps have the meaning ‘genuinely’ (and hence belong at really adv.2).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > [adverb] > with royal or princely authority
reallya1375
sovereignlyc1375
riallya1387
regallya1450
royally?c1500
sovranly1832
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > splendour > [adverb] > magnificently
micklelyeOE
proudlya1225
noblyc1300
reallya1375
riallya1387
royallyc1405
rialc1425
stately?a1439
pompously1501
gorgeously1532
magnificly1538
princely1548
magnificentlya1552
magnifically1555
superbiously1569
grandly1647
splendidly1651
magnificously1683
superbly1763
grandiosely1841
splendiferously1841
regally1852
splendaciously1872
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > splendour, magnificence, or pomp > [adverb]
worthlyeOE
worthlyOE
worthily?c1225
reallya1375
proudc1384
riallya1387
royallyc1405
proudly?a1425
rialc1425
stately?a1439
personably1481
sumptuouslyc1487
magnificentlya1552
majestically1577
in state1580
palatially1867
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 1426 (MED) Þe messageres riȝt realy were arayde.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 181 (MED) Pompeus hadde i-fouȝte realliche [v.r. realich; L. feliciter] wiþ two and twenty kynges.
a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) 1569 Ful really þai rade obout..To justing and to turnament.
c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Linc. Cathedral 103) 228 (MED) Thise grete kynges..So schynynge in þaire purpure really.
a1500 (?a1400) Stanzaic Life of Christ (Harl. 3909) (1926) 647 (MED) Romulus..raiset realy his image vp in þat cite.
?c1510 tr. Newe Landes & People founde by Kynge of Portyngale sig. Eiiiv Realy wrought with sterres lyke yf it were ye heuen.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 93 He..callit [him] to the supper and bankitit him werie reallie.
1633 in L. B. Taylor Aberdeen Council Lett. (1942) I. 382 We thank Gud for your ladyship's religious..disposition so reallie expressit in this particular [sc. charity to the poor] and..hes causit delyver the moneyes [etc.].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
reallyadv.2adj.
/ˈrɪəli/, /ˈriːli/, U.S. /ˈri(ə)li/ A. adv.2† 3. Sincerely, honestly, plainly. Obsolete.† 4. In the usual course of things; naturally. Obsolete. rare.† 5. Mathematics. With reference to an equation: such that it has real roots. Obsolete. rare.
1.
a. In reality; in a real manner. Also: in fact, actually.In early use, frequently with reference to the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > reality or real existence or actuality > [adverb]
in truthc1330
in faitha1375
in good faitha1393
in casea1398
in effectc1405
indeed1412
effectually1420
actually?a1425
really?a1425
of a truth1494
bottom1531
for a truth?1532
in fact1592
authentically1593
in esse1597
de facto1602
essentially1604
in nature1605
in point of fact1628
positively1649
in point of event1650
effectively1652
honestly1675
entally1691
reely1792
objectively1796
fairlyc1804
in actual fact1824
factually1852
naturally1858
transactionally1866
'smatter of fact1922
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > in fact, actually
in, of feata1400
in effectc1405
effectually1420
really?a1425
literallyc1429
(by) matter in deed1447
indeed1535
in fact1592
merely1596
de facto1602
essentially1604
in point of fact1628
upon1644
in point of event1650
effectively1652
in matter of fact1709
absolutelya1712
substantially1753
actually1762
positively1800
in actual fact1824
factually1852
as matter of fact1871
fair dinkum1891
dinkum1894
'smatter of fact1922
basically1927
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 18 Þof al it be one bone realy [?c1425 Paris substancially; L. realiter], neþerlez it haþ 3 nominacions, And for þi of som men þai bene seid 3 bonez.
c1450 tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Lyfe Manhode (Cambr.) (1869) 49 With inne this bred al the souereyn good is put..bodiliche and rialliche [a1475 (?a1430) Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man Realiter; Fr. reaument], presentliche and verreyliche.
1528–37 in T. Wright Three Chapters Lett. Suppression Monasteries (1843) 161 My dysfortune hathe byn..not only with yntellectyon to have thought yt, but exteryally and really I have fulfyllyd the same.
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 172/1 He held this opinion, that it was not the body of Christe really, the whiche was sacramentally vsed in the churche.
1596 R. Cotton Armor of Proofe sig. B3v Christ doth there [sc. in the Eucharist] remayne..not Really, as they do teach: But there by fayth, as learned heere do preach.
1639 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 180 I will that twenty pounds..shalbe paid to the said ffeoffees when they shall really begin the said worke.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. ii. §16 He imagined that which is said to be above as to us, was really the upper part of the world.
1692 E. Walker tr. Epictetus Enchiridion xxxvii To have right Notions of the Deities; As that such Beings really are.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 315. ¶9 The Account of such things as have really happened.
1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 21 Frequented only by such as really went for relief.
1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne 287 The popular prophets of this country were all really or affectedly mad.
a1822 P. B. Shelley Witch of Atlas lxxiii, in Posthumous Poems (1824) 53 How the god Apis, really was a bull, And nothing more.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 139 It soon appeared that the government was really directed, not at Dublin, but in London.
1886 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 32 26 I do not think that any of the cases which were cited did really prove that assertion.
1915 N. Munro in Glasgow News 5 Apr. 2/6 If this calamity is railly gaun to happen us, I'll hae to lay in something in a press till the war blaws bye.
1934 F. S. Fitzgerald Tender is Night i. xxi. 123 He really is going to direct the picture and is leaving immediately for Hollywood.
2000 Amer. Educ. Res. Jrnl. 37 935 Brently was reported dead... Brently is not really dead.
b. Truly, indeed; positively. In later use also as an intensifier: very, thoroughly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > assuredly, indeed
soothlyc825
forsoothc888
wiselyc888
sooth to sayOE
i-wislichec1000
to (‥) soothOE
iwis?c1160
certesa1250
without missa1275
i-witterlic1275
trulyc1275
aplight1297
certc1300
in (good) fayc1300
verily1303
certain1330
in truthc1330
to tell (also speak, say) the truthc1330
certainlya1375
faithlya1375
in faitha1375
surelya1375
in sooth1390
in trothc1390
in good faitha1393
to witc1400
faithfullyc1405
soothly to sayc1405
all righta1413
sad?a1425
in certc1440
wella1470
truec1480
to say (the) truth1484
of a truth1494
of (a) trotha1500
for a truth?1532
in (of) verity1533
of verityc1550
really1561
for, in, or into very?1565
indeed1583
really and truly1600
indeed and indeed1673
right enough1761
deed1816
just1838
of a verity1850
sho1893
though1905
verdad1928
sholy1929
ja-nee1937
only1975
deffo1996
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. xi. f. 176 That God should breathe his ryghteousnesse into vs, wherby we maye be really righteous with him.
a1610 J. Healey tr. Cebes' Table in tr. Epictetus Manuall (1636) 140 Hee..shall be really blessed, and lift up beyond the pitch of misery.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 70 The Janizaries..seem to be sacred; and really I know no Order of Militia in the World, that is so much respected.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 5 This last Bill was really frightful.
1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little i. iv. 34 You have really told a very pretty Story.
1772 Test Filial Duty II. 180 He was really very useful, perfectly commode.
1824 T. Hood May-day in Whims & Oddities (1857) 308 A really pretty maiden, and worthy of the honour.
1864 Harper's Mag. Mar. 501/1 I railly believe he didn't half the time know what he was eating.
1929 J. B. Priestley Good Compan. i. iii. 83 She's really awful, isn't she?
1964 E. Bowen Little Girls ii. i. 85 The Southstone children ate meals at school, and the rest had fallen in with this practice—which made..for girls getting to know each other really well.
2003 N.Y. Post 14 Mar. 36 I have a really big scoop for you.
c. really and truly: authentically, genuinely; honestly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > assuredly, indeed
soothlyc825
forsoothc888
wiselyc888
sooth to sayOE
i-wislichec1000
to (‥) soothOE
iwis?c1160
certesa1250
without missa1275
i-witterlic1275
trulyc1275
aplight1297
certc1300
in (good) fayc1300
verily1303
certain1330
in truthc1330
to tell (also speak, say) the truthc1330
certainlya1375
faithlya1375
in faitha1375
surelya1375
in sooth1390
in trothc1390
in good faitha1393
to witc1400
faithfullyc1405
soothly to sayc1405
all righta1413
sad?a1425
in certc1440
wella1470
truec1480
to say (the) truth1484
of a truth1494
of (a) trotha1500
for a truth?1532
in (of) verity1533
of verityc1550
really1561
for, in, or into very?1565
indeed1583
really and truly1600
indeed and indeed1673
right enough1761
deed1816
just1838
of a verity1850
sho1893
though1905
verdad1928
sholy1929
ja-nee1937
only1975
deffo1996
1600 L. Lewkenor tr. A. de Torquemada Spanish Mandeuile iii. f.71 The matter passed really and truly as he told it him.
1676 M. Hale Contempl. Moral & Divine i. 45 The Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, that doth really and truly but secretly prevent and direct them.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 356 I left him no room to doubt the Truth of my being really and truly his Mother.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. ii. xiii. 257 The Word really and truly signifies no more at this day. View more context for this quotation
1795 M. Edgeworth Lett. Julia & Caroline 33 in Lett. for Lit. Ladies If you find that the public diversions and public admiration..are really and truly essential to your happiness, direct your choice accordingly.
1828 D. M. Moir Life Mansie Wauch xx. 302 This was really and truly a terrible business.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xlvi. 445 ‘Have you money for your lodging?’ ‘Yes sir,’ she says, ‘really and truly.’
1897 B. Stoker Dracula v. 57 Three proposals in one day! Isn't it awful! I feel sorry, really and truly sorry, for two of the poor fellows.
1956 A. Wilson Anglo-Saxon Attitudes i. iv. 155 So you really and truly are not disappointed with our old Elsinore.
2002 Hist. Teacher 35 520 To know what humans are really and truly capable of, the good and the bad, we need a continuous databank of human behaviour.
2. Used parenthetically.
a. Expressing asseveration, protest, or dismay.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [adverb]
sickerly1340
affirminglyc1475
affirmably1489
affirmatively1533
assertively1562
asseverantlya1575
really1604
thetically1657
assertorilya1680
asseveratingly1880
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > [adverb]
iwis?c1160
sickerlyc1175
wisc1175
wislyc1200
i-witterlic1275
sickerc1275
certc1300
hardilyc1300
hardlya1325
certain1330
tristilya1350
certainlya1375
redelya1375
redilya1375
surelyc1380
hand in handa1382
righta1393
assuredlya1400
surea1400
naturallyc1425
in certc1440
ascertainly1477
soverly1513
perqueer1568
really1604
assurelya1626
just1687
pos1710
besure1743
verdad1928
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet v. ii. 107 + 20 Ist not possible to vnderstand in another tongue, you will too't sir really.
1682 A. Behn Roundheads ii. i. 11 Really, Madam, I shou'd be glad to know by what other Title you wou'd be distinguish'd?
1728 J. Gay Beggar's Opera iii. viii. 49 But really, Mistress Lucy..by his last Behaviour; I think I ovght to envy you.
1767 ‘A. Barton’ Disappointment i. i. 9 Why, really, while credulity and the love of money prevail, I think it no merit to make proselytes of one half the town.
1783 Double Conspiracy ii. 21 Why railly, You, I believe that's a good plan.
1819 J. Keats Let. 22 Sept. How fine the air..Really, without joking, chaste weather.
1841 T. De Quincey Homer & Homeridae in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 620/2 Really no: a dyspeptic demigod it makes one dyspeptic to think of!
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 58 Why really, I said, the truth is that I don't know.
1969 M. Braithwaite Never sleep Three in Bed vi. 73 Being hauled out of mud-holes by horses was bad enough. But oxen, really!
2001 Callaloo 24 5 I mean really, the very idea, a black person..going on and on about the South and her place in it.
b. Interrogatively, expressing surprise or doubt.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > [adverb] > indicating a question
whatOE
howc1000
how aboutc1000
indeeda1616
really1753
anyhow1846
how's about?1952
the mind > mental capacity > belief > disbelief, incredulity > [adverb] > expressing disbelief
really1753
never1855
sans blague1922
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison III. xxiv. 245 ‘The Count of Belvedere. He was more earnest in his favour—’ ‘Really?’ ‘Yes, really—than I thought he ought to be.’
c1815 Sir D. Wilkie in E. Pinnington Sir D. Wilkie & Sc. School of Painters (1900) 75 Wilkie looked, smiled, and in the most unconscious manner said, ‘Rea-al-ly!’
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) x. 90 Mr. Dombey glanced at the libelled Master Bitherstone..and said, in quite a complacent manner, ‘Really?’
1893 Scribner's Mag. June 787/1 She exclaimed, ‘Really? It is really true?’
1928 D. L. Sayers Lord Peter views Body 287 Really? No kidding?
1955 G. Greene Quiet Amer. i. iii. 49 ‘Really? What kind of business?’... ‘Import, export.’
1996 C. Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice & Men xxi. 164 ‘One of the nicest guys you could hope to meet.’ ‘Really?’
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adverb]
utterly?c1225
entirelya1340
faithlyc1350
without (but) feigningc1380
clearly1389
whollyc1390
unfeigninglyc1400
entirec1430
unfeigneda1469
without coloura1513
honestly1526
singly1526
unfeignedly1526
uncolourably1541
bona fide1542
frankly?1553
sincerely1560
squarely1564
uprightly1565
square1577
single-mindedly1579
undissemblinglyc1585
above board1599
fair and square1604
downright1607
downrightly1632
really1641
uncasuistly1649
honest1654
up tro1654
plain-heartedly1675
unaffectedly1677
straightforwardly1839
wholeheartedly1845
unfallaciously1852
up and down1854
single-heartedly1857
unflatteringly1874
uncynically1895
square on1963
1641 J. Suckling Let. in Coppy Gen. Lesley's Let. to J. Suckling 6 My thoughts are ever active, nay, shall I speake really to you; they are passive, till you performe what you professe, & leave our countrey.
1650 T. Bayly Worcesters Apophthegmes 79 I protest my Lord, I speak, said Redman, really; he is coming.
1664 T. Killigrew 2nd Pt. Bellamira i. ii, in Comedies & Trag. 522 To speak really, that womans honour that must be held by a Sword is not worth a Swords cure.
1711 D. Defoe Ess. Plain Expos. Good Peace 45 I shall lay down some Heads, which without Partiality or Respect to Parties in the least, but speaking really, and bona fide, with all possible Indifference, seem to me to be natural Deductions from the present State of Affairs in Europe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adverb] > usually or customarily > in the usual or natural course
courselyc1440
really1651
1651 N. Culpeper Semeiotica Uranica ix. 90 Diseases..whether they come really or by accident, as fractures.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [adverb] > involving or with reference to equations
really1706
simultaneously1814
equationally1881
quadratically1928
perturbatively1955
1706 W. Jones Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos 128 In every Prepared Equation Really constituted, which has..all its Terms.
B. adj. slang (chiefly North American).
really (and) truly: authentic, genuine. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > genuine, real
soothc888
soothlyc888
soothfastc1175
germanec1384
truea1398
sickera1400
upright?a1500
uncounterfeita1542
righteous1543
legitimate1551
truepennya1556
arrant1570
uncounterfeited1571
real1573
current1578
genuinal1599
unforged1610
unpretended1611
legitime1614
unabusinga1628
Lubish1632
genuine1639
undissembled1651
undissimulate1652
ingenuine1661
infallacious1677
real live1684
unfalsified1688
unmistaken1694
pukka1776
undissimulated1776
unassumed1818
uncynical1824
Simon Pure1834
sure-enough1837
unsimulated1840
straight-out1848
true blue1852
veritable1862
really (and) truly1864
authentic1868
true-metal1868
kosher1896
twenty-four carat1900
honest to goodness1905
echt1916
dinky-di1918
McCoy1928
twenty-two carat1962
right1969
1864 Mothers' Friend N.S. 5 91 It is a friend, ‘a really truly friend, that don't get cross at every little thing’.
1884 in New Eng. Q. 61 367 A girl—a really & truly girl with wome I exchanged sinpythetic glances.
1899 in Dance Chron. 16 163 She wears some gorgeous costumes and gives an interesting picture of a really truly Geisha.
1908 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Green Gables xi. 114 They all had puffed sleeves... It was awfully hard there among the others who had really truly puffs.
1909 M. Diver Candles in Wind xxxiii. 348 Such a really truly knight!
1911 T. Dreiser Jennie Gerhardt 249 She thinks you are her really truly uncle.
1942 Post (Morgantown, W. Va.) 2 May 5/7 The [family] have one of the prize sites with a really, truly beach.
c1960 in Dict. Amer. Reg. Eng. IV. (2002) 493/1 Really-truly, adj or adv. Real, really. The standard form is really and truly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
> see also
also refers to : re-allyv.
<
adv.1a1375
adv.2adj.?a1425see also