really

Examples

• All

• Now let's see if dreams really do come true.

  Collins Key

• Is this new world of reading really going to impact teaching and learning?

  Academic text (2011)

• But you need time to really find the good stuff.

• But I still really want to like the rest.

• This would be crazy if he really is so sick.

• I believe it's gonna happen one of these days, I really do.

  Back to Black (2024)

• Do you really believe that?

  I'm Not Gay : A Musical (2023)

• You really think you can beat him?

  The Hustler (1961)

• No thanks, I really prefer a cigar.

  Double Indemnity (1944)

• I really appreciate your help with the project.

Synonyms

A

actually

vsreally

∞ 1.0

To show that something is really true even if surprising

is a plain emphasiser without implying surprise or contradiction

I

in fact

vsreally

∞ 1.0

Shows that something is true, often when it is different from what was said

is narrower, simply highlighting truth without contrast

T

truly

vsreally

∞ 1.0

In a real and honest way

is broader and used as a neutral emphasis marker

I

indeed

vsreally

∞ 1.0

To emphasize and agree that something is true

is used more generally to stress truth rather than to confirm

L

literally

vsreally

• Informal

∞ 3.5

To stress that something really happened, not just as an exaggeration

serves generally to stress truth without implying literalness

H

honestly

vsreally

∞ 1.1

Said when you want to stress that you really mean what you say

serves more widely as an emphasis word beyond personal sincerity

P

perfectly

vsreally

807 1.0

Completely, to show that something is true

is a general particle used to mark truth or reality

S

simply

vsreally

800 1.0

You say this when something is completely true

is a common emphasiser that is not restricted to absolutes

G

genuinely

vsreally

207 2.5

In a real and honest way, not pretending

functions mainly as a general emphasiser of truth

N

no kidding

vsreally

• Informal

95 6.0

To show you really mean what you say

is more neutral and suits both casual and formal emphasis

I

in truth

vsreally

81 3.8

Actually, what is said is true even if people think otherwise

works as a general emphatic marker rather than a formal fact marker

H

honest-to-god

vsreally

• Informal

38 7.9

Truly real and not fake

is less marked and used as a simple truth emphasiser

L

legit

vsreally

• Informal

8 8.5

To say that something is really true or serious

is more neutral and widely used across styles

G

God's honest truth

vsreally

• Informal

7 6.1

A phrase people say to show what they say is really true

is a milder emphatic word used in everyday statements

S

sure-enough

vsreally

• Informal

2 8.1

Clearly real and not fake to show you really mean it

is more neutral and fits both formal and informal emphasis

V

veritably

vsreally

• Formal

1 6.7

To show strongly that something is true

is a general, neutral emphatic word used in everyday speech

F

for real and for true

vsreally

• Informal

1 9.2

To show that something is really true and not a joke

is a general emphasiser not limited to strong sincerity claims

Idioms

O

oh really

182 7.4

Shows surprise or mild doubt about what someone just said

Compounds

R

really lame

• Informal

9 7.5

A reason or explanation that is very weak and not believable

R

really sucky

• Slang

1 8.4

Very bad and disappointing to experience

R

really yucky

• Informal

1 7.4

Very unpleasant to see, smell, taste, or touch

How True

genuinely

207 2.5

truly

∞ 1.0

really

∞ 1.0

actually

∞ 1.0

apparently

∞ 2.8

allegedly

• Literature

333 5.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology