I really do feel that some people are being unfair.
Synonyms
certainly
I'll certainly do all I can to help.
absolutely
`It's worrying, isn't it?' `Absolutely.'
undoubtedly
He is undoubtedly a great player
genuinely
positively
This is positively the worst thing I can imagine.
categorically
without a doubt
assuredly
verily
surely
She knew that with enough dedication and work she would surely pass the course.
2 (adverb)
Definition
truly
It was really good.
Synonyms
very
I am very grateful to you for all your help.
particularly
The pollen count has been particularly high.
seriously (informal)
one of the first seriously wealthy rock-star landowners
truly
extremely
The taste of bitterness is an extremely common feature of herbal remedies.
terribly
I'm terribly sorry to bother you at this hour.
remarkably
unusually
this year's unusually harsh winter
jolly (British)
awfully (informal)
That caramel looks awfully good.
exceedingly
It was an exceedingly difficult decision to make.
excessively
eminently
His family was eminently respectable.
superlatively
uncommonly
Mary was uncommonly good at tennis.
3 (adverb)
Definition
in reality
They didn't really enjoy themselves.
Synonyms
truly
I truly never minded caring for him.
actually
He had actually felt pain several times, but he had ignored it.
in fact
indeed
Later he admitted that the payments had indeed been made.
in reality
He came across as streetwise, but in reality he was not.
in actuality
4 (adverb)
Do you really think he would be that stupid?
Synonyms
honestly
Did you honestly think we wouldn't notice?
actually
truthfully
in all sincerity
Additional synonyms
in the sense of absolutely
`It's worrying, isn't it?' `Absolutely.'
Synonyms
definitely,
surely,
certainly,
clearly,
obviously,
plainly,
truly,
precisely,
exactly,
genuinely,
positively,
decidedly,
decisively,
without doubt,
unquestionably,
undeniably,
categorically,
without question,
unequivocally,
conclusively,
unambiguously,
beyond any doubt,
infallibly
in the sense of actually
Definition
as an actual fact
He had actually felt pain several times, but he had ignored it.
Synonyms
really,
in fact,
indeed,
essentially,
truly,
literally,
genuinely,
in reality,
in truth,
in actuality,
in point of fact,
veritably,
as a matter of fact
in the sense of awfully
Definition
very
That caramel looks awfully good.
Synonyms
very,
extremely,
terribly,
exceptionally,
quite,
very much,
seriously (informal),
greatly,
immensely,
exceedingly,
excessively,
dreadfully
Synonyms of 'really'
really
Explore 'really' in the dictionary
really
(riːəli)
1. adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
You can use really to emphasize a statement.
[spoken, emphasis]
I'm very sorry. I really am.
It really is best to manage without any medication if you possibly can.
I really do feel that some people are being unfair.
You know, we really ought to get another car.
I'm fine, really I'm fine.
Synonyms: certainly, absolutely, undoubtedly, genuinely More Synonyms of really
2. adverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb]
You can use really to emphasize an adjective or adverb.
[emphasis]
It was really good.
They were really nice people.
I know her really well.
Synonyms: very, particularly, seriously [informal], truly More Synonyms of really
3. adverb [usually ADVERB with verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
You use really when you are discussing the real facts about something, in contrast to the ones someone wants you to believe.
My father didn't really love her.
What was really going on?
You make them feel that it was their decision when it wasn't really.
Synonyms: truly, actually, in fact, indeed More Synonyms of really
4. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
People use really in questions and negative statements when they want you to answer 'no'.
[emphasis]
Do you really think he would be that stupid?
You can't really expect me to believe you didn't know him.
Synonyms: honestly, actually, truthfully, in all sincerity More Synonyms of really
5. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
If you refer to a time when something really begins to happen, you are emphasizing that it starts to happen at that time to a much greater extent and much more seriously than before.
[emphasis]
That's when the pressure really started.
He only really started going out with girls at college.
6. adverb [ADV after neg, usually ADVERB with verb]
People sometimes use really to slightly reduce the force of a negative statement.
[spoken, vagueness]
I'm not really surprised.
'Did they hurt you?'—'Not really'.
I didn't really notice what I was eating.
I don't think that's very fair really.
7. adverb [ADVERB with cl]
People sometimes add really to statements in order to make them less definite and more uncertain.
[spoken, vagueness]
She is a quiet girl really.
I'm happy most of the time, really.
8. adverb [ADVERB with cl]
People use really to show that they are surprised or that the person they are speaking to may be surprised about something.
[mainly British, spoken, feelings]
Actually it was quite good really.
I was really rather fond of Arthur.
9. convention
You can say really to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said.
[spoken, feelings]
'We discovered it was totally the wrong decision.'—'Really?'.
'We saw a very bright shooting star.'—'Did you really?'
10. convention
You can say 'really' in a conversation to show that you are interested in what someone is saying.
'We had a very interesting chat.'—'Really? About what?'
11. exclamation
Some people say really when they are slightly annoyed or offended by something.
[British, spoken, feelings]
Really, Mr Riss, I expected better of you.
really in British English
(ˈrɪəlɪ)
adverb
1.
in reality; in actuality; assuredly
it's really quite harmless
2.
truly; genuinely
really beautiful
exclamation
3.
an exclamation of dismay, disapproval, doubt, surprise, etc
4. not really?
▶ USAGE In strict usage adverbs of degree such as really, too, quite, very, and extremely are used only to qualify adjectives: he is really happy; she is very sad. By this rule, these words should not be used to qualify past participles that followthe verb to be, since they would then be technically qualifying verbs. With the exception of certainparticiples, such as tired or disappointed, that have come to be regarded as adjectives, all other past participles are qualifiedby adverbs such as much, greatly, seriously, or excessively: he has been much (not really) inconvenienced; she has been excessively (not too) criticized
really in American English
(ˈriəli; ˈrili)
adverb
1.
in reality; in fact; actually
2.
truly or genuinely
a really hot day
interjection
3.
indeed
used to express surprise, irritation, doubt, etc.
Word origin
ME rialliche: see real1 & -ly2
Examples of 'really' in a sentence
really
My life really revolves around my family.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their goals were two blips in a really good game for us.
The Sun (2016)
You look beyond surface appearances and see people as they really are.
The Sun (2016)
Settled couples agree on new goals for the partnership and feel really close again.
The Sun (2017)
He is training really well and he has pace and ability.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is something really nice about bringing those two seemingly opposite worlds together.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is why so few presenters say what they really think.
The Sun (2017)
They're really honest and say it exactly how it is.
The Sun (2016)
This is no great surprise, really.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This new sitcom lifts the lid on what life is really like for unemployed twentysomethings.
The Sun (2010)
What we have done is given ourselves a really good chance of doing something.
The Sun (2012)
What people really want is balance and calm.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You really feel that people want to hear music again.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Stir really well and spoon into your loaf tin.
Colette Harris, With Theresa Cheung PCOS DIET BOOK: How you can use the nutritional approach to deal with polycysticovary syndrome (2002)
The range of finds coming from it tell us this is something really special.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The thing that has really surprised me is a waning of interest in gorgeous things.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
So there we were thinking it really could not get any better.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Your judgement is better so you know who really has your interests at heart.
The Sun (2010)
My life is not really that wild.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is a really good quality dried egg pasta.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What is different about what "brighter" people really do when confronted with a problem?
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
It sums up our band really well.
The Sun (2014)
The quality of the food on site was a really nice surprise.
The Sun (2011)
Do you really think it wise to attack them here and when we are so evidently outnumbered?
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
We cannot really know how fast the impact will occur.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING FOR RESULTS (1986)
Here we find out what life is really like behind the bright lights.
The Sun (2007)
The money gave us the opportunity to become more involved in the things we were really interested in.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was something small but something which could really show their taste and the funds they had available.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You're not really interested in how diverse the fire brigade is.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She added that artists are 'really, really lucky if they have three years.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They really do say that, and it's all over very quickly.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That's all I can really say.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
really
British English: really /ˈrɪəlɪ/ ADVERB
sincerely You say really to show how much you mean something.
I'm really sorry I can't come to your party.
American English: really
Arabic: حَقَّاً
Brazilian Portuguese: realmente
Chinese: 真正地
Croatian: uistinu
Czech: skutečně
Danish: virkelig
Dutch: werkelijk
European Spanish: realmente
Finnish: todella
French: vraiment
German: wirklich
Greek: πραγματικά
Italian: davvero
Japanese: 本当に
Korean: 정말로
Norwegian: virkelig
Polish: naprawdę
European Portuguese: realmente
Romanian: într-adevăr
Russian: действительно
Latin American Spanish: realmente
Swedish: verkligen
Thai: โดยแท้จริง
Turkish: gerçekten
Ukrainian: справді
Vietnamese: thực sự
British English: really /ˈrɪəlɪ/ ADVERB
actually You say really to show that what you are saying is true.