REALLY


Meaning of REALLY in English

real ‧ ly S1 W1 /ˈrɪəli/ BrE AmE adverb

[ Word Family: noun : ↑ realism , ↑ realist , ↑ reality , ↑ unreality , ↑ realization ; adverb : ↑ real , ↑ really , ↑ realistically ≠ ↑ unrealistically ; adjective : ↑ real , ↑ unreal , ↑ realistic ≠ ↑ unrealistic ; verb : ↑ realize ]

1 . VERY very SYN extremely :

a really good film

It was really cold last night.

He walks really slowly.

I’m really, really sorry.

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Really is especially frequent in spoken English. In writing, people usually prefer to use very or extremely to emphasize an adjective, or very much to emphasize a verb:

▪ a really dangerous activity ➔ a very dangerous activity

▪ | I really enjoyed the play. ➔ I enjoyed the play very much.

2 . THE REAL SITUATION used when you are talking about what actually happened or is true, rather than what people might wrongly think:

Why don’t you tell us what really happened?

Oliver’s not really her brother.

I never know what he’s really thinking.

She seems unfriendly at first, but she’s really very nice.

• • •

SPOKEN PHRASES

3 . DEFINITELY used to emphasize something you are saying:

We really need that extra money.

I really don’t mind.

I’m absolutely fine, Dad – really.

4 . NOT TRUE used in questions when you are asking someone if something is true and suggesting that you think it is not true SYN honestly :

Do you really think she’s doing this for your benefit?

Do you really expect me to believe that?

5 .

a) really? used to show that you are surprised by what someone has said:

‘He’s Canadian.’ ‘Really?’

b) really? used in conversation to show that you are listening to or interested in what the other person is saying:

‘We had a great time in Florida.’ ‘Really? How lovely.’

c) American English used to show that you agree with someone:

‘Glen can be such a jerk.’ ‘Yeah, really!’

d) especially British English used to show that you are angry or disapprove of something:

Really, Larry, you might have told me!

6 . not really used to say ‘no’ or ‘not’ in a less strong way:

‘Do you want to come along?’ ‘Not really.’

I don’t really know what he’s doing now.

7 . should/ought really used to say what someone should do, especially when they are probably not going to do it:

You should really go and see a doctor.

8 . really and truly ( also really, truly American English ) used to emphasize a statement or opinion:

He was really and truly a brilliant comedian.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.