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Definition really in British English

really adverb, interjection

adverb, interjection
/ˈrɪəli/

Really can be used in the following ways:

as an adverb (with a verb): Do you really love her? (before an adjective or adverb): She’s a really nice person.I played really well on Saturday.

as a sentence adverb (making a comment on the whole sentence or clause): Really, it isn’t important.

as an interjection: ‘I don’t care what you think.’ ‘Well, really!’

1

very, or very much

Example

I'm really hungry.

Example

some really useful information

Example

She really enjoys working with young children.

Example

We've all been working really hard.

Synonyms and related words
2

used for emphasizing what you are saying about a situation

Example

I really must settle down to some serious work.

Example

There's really no need to worry.

Example

I really ought to have phoned Annie to let her know we'd be late.

Example

Do you really and truly believe that he'll come back to you?

Synonyms and related words
Example

Rigby had never really recovered from his knee injury.

Example

Are you really sure that you want to marry this man?

Example

It isn't really a dictionary - it's a sort of phrase book.

Synonyms and related words
4

used for talking about what is in fact true, especially when something else seems to be true

Example

Hamlet isn't really mad - he's just pretending to be.

Example

We'll never know what really happened.

Example

Everyone seems to have admired Diana, but what was she really like as a person?

Synonyms and related words
5

used for showing that you are surprised by or interested in what someone has just told you

Example

'I've decided to move back to York.' 'Really? But why?'

Example

'Emma will be 21 in April.' 'Will she really? I hadn't realized.'

Example

'It was the best holiday we've ever had .' 'Oh, really?'

Synonyms and related words
6

used for showing that you do not approve of what someone has done or said

Example

Really, Amanda! What a dreadful thing to say!

Definition really in British English