really

== English == === Etymology 1 === From Middle English really, realy, rialliche, equivalent to real +‎ -ly. ==== Alternative forms ==== real-ly, reälly (both nonstandard) ==== Pronunciation ==== (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɹɪə.li/, [ˈɹʷɪə̯lɪ], [-li], [ˈɹʷɪː-] (US) IPA(key): /ˈɹɪl.i/, /ˈɹi.li/, /ˈɹi.ə.li/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ˈɹiə.liː/, [ˈɹʷeə̯ɫiː], [ˈɹʷiə̯-] Homophone: rarely (India) IPA(key): /ˈrɪ.jə.liː/, (emphasised) /rɪˈjɜː.liː/ (obsolete) IPA(key): /ˈɹeɪlɪ/ Hyphenation: re‧al‧ly, real‧ly Rhymes: -iːli ==== Adverb ==== really (comparative more really, superlative most really) (literal) In a way or manner that is real, not unreal. (modal) Actually; in fact; in reality. (informal, as an intensifier) Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb). ===== Usage notes ===== Like its synonyms, really is, in practice, often used to preface an opinion, rather than a fact. (See also usage notes for actually.) Increasingly people are recognising what's really important is having children. ===== Alternative forms ===== (in a way or manner that is real, not unreal): real-ly ===== Synonyms ===== (actually): actually, in fact, indeed, truly; see also Thesaurus:actually (colloquial, as an intensifier): so ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Interjection ==== really (informal) Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism. A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday. B: Really? (informal, by extension) A phatic confirmation by a listener, to signal active listening; mostly devoid of literal meaning, with the phatically contrived incredulity being merely formulaic. A: You know, I saw Oliver the other day. B: Really? What's he been up to? (informal, sarcastic, typically exaggerated question.) Indicating that what was just said was obvious and unnecessary; contrived incredulity A: I've just been reading Shakespeare - he's one of the best authors like, ever! B: Really? (informal, chiefly US) Indicating affirmation, agreement. A: That girl talks about herself way too much. B: Really. She's a nightmare. (informal) Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement. ===== Usage notes ===== For the phatic sense, alternatives such as wow or gosh avoid a miscue whereby a speaker mistakes an active listener's really for genuine surprise or incredulity. ===== Synonyms ===== (incredulity, phatically contrived incredulity, or in ironic/sarcastic sense): gosh, is that so, no kidding, no really, no way, oh dear, oh my, oh really, you don't say, wow (affirmation, agreement): actually (Philippines) ===== Translations ===== ==== References ==== === Etymology 2 === From re- +‎ ally. ==== Verb ==== really (third-person singular simple present reallies, present participle reallying, simple past and past participle reallied) Alternative form of re-ally. === Anagrams === rallye, y'all're, yaller