really
gb/ɹˈɪli/ us/ɹˈɪli/
A2
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
property
1
To a high or extreme degree
Used to say that something is very much or very true.
Usage pattern:
really [adjective/adverb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'really' with 'very' in formal writing; 'really' is more common in speech and informal texts.
Synonyms
very (Slightly less emphatic and more neutral than 'really'.)
Antonyms
slightly (Indicates a small degree, opposite of strong emphasis.)
Collocations
really good
|really bad
|really fast
|really happy
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie was really exciting.
- She runs really fast.
- I'm really tired after work.
- That cake is really delicious.
Learner examples
- The room is really big.
- He is really nice.
- I am really happy.
- It is really hot today.
adverb
A2
property
2
In fact or actually true
Used to show that something is true, not just a story or idea.
Usage pattern:
really [verb/auxiliary verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse 'really' instead of 'actually' in formal contexts.
Synonyms
actually ('Actually' can sometimes sound more formal or corrective.)
Antonyms
supposedly (Indicates that something is claimed but may not be true.)
Collocations
really exist
|really happened
|really believe
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Do you really think that's a good idea?
- Ghosts don't really exist.
- I really saw him at the store.
Learner examples
- I really like this book.
- She really lives in New York.
- He really works here.
adverb
informal
A2
action
3
Expressing surprise or doubt
Used to show you are surprised or not sure if you believe something.
Common mistake:
Learners might forget to raise intonation when using 'Really?' as a question in speech.
Synonyms
seriously ('Seriously' can be stronger and sometimes more skeptical.)
Antonyms
obviously (Shows certainty rather than doubt or surprise.)
Themes
conversation
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- "I met the president yesterday." – "Really?"
- "She's moving to Japan." – "Really? I didn't know that."
- "He won the lottery." – "Really! That's amazing."
Learner examples
- "I saw a famous actor." – "Really?"
- "She speaks five languages." – "Really?"
- "We are going to Paris." – "Really?"
Grammar
Dictionary form
really
IPA
GB/ɹˈɪli/
US/ɹˈɪli/
Syllables & stress
really (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (really)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: really
- Plural: reallies
Word family
Forms
reallies
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unreal
adjective B2
unrealistic
adjective B1
Expressions
really and truly
1/ɹˈɪli ˈænd tɹˈuli/
fixed phrase
informal
Completely genuine or sincere
Used to say that something is 100% true or sincere.
Examples
- I really and truly didn't mean to hurt you.
- She really and truly believes in her project.
really though
1/ɹˈɪli ðˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
informal
Returning to serious point after casual talk
Used when you want to be serious after joking or chatting.
Examples
- Really though, we need to finish this today.
- Really though, are you okay?
not really
1/nˈɑt ɹˈɪli/
fixed phrase
Only slightly or not exactly true
Used to say something is only partly true or not true in a strong way.
Examples
- Do you like the food? Not really.
- Do you like horror movies? Not really.
- I’m not really sure what you mean.
- Is it finished? Not really, we still have some work left.