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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Really Meaning, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：very (really)

really 🔊

/ˈrɪəli/

adv.

used to add strength to an adjective or adverb, meaning ‘very’ or ‘to a great degree’.

very 🔊

➕

/ˈver.i/

adv.

Used before adjectives or adverbs to emphasize a high degree or intensity.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'real' (Latin 'res' meaning thing) + adverbial suffix '-ly'.

💡 Mnemonic

Real + ly: think 'real' → for emphasis on reality.

📖 Example

I'm really tired after the long hike; I just want to sleep. 🔊 After the long hike, I am very tired and want nothing but to sleep.

🔗 Collocations

really good – means of high quality or pleasant

really fast – means moving at high speed

really tired – means extremely exhausted

🔄 Synonyms

very (adv.) – to a high degree

extremely (adv.) – to an extreme extent

truly (adv.) – in a genuine manner

🚫 Antonyms

slightly (adv.) – to a small degree

barely (adv.) – only just; almost not

hardly (adv.) – almost not; scarcely

🌱 Derivatives

real (adj.) – actually existing

reality (n.) – the state of things as they exist

realistic (adj.) – having a sensible and practical attitude

📖 Cultural Story

Originally meaning 'in a real manner', 'really' evolved into an intensifier in the 18th century, now ubiquitous in spoken English for emphasis and surprise.

Meaning 2：truly (really)

really 🔊

/ˈrɪəli/

adv.

used to show that something is true or you mean it, or to express surprise.

truly 🔊

➕

/ˈtruː.li/

adv.

Used to emphasize the truth or sincerity of a statement, or to express surprise or disbelief.

📁 Category：Language Evolution 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Did you really see a dolphin at the beach yesterday? That's amazing! 🔊 Is it true that you saw a dolphin at the beach yesterday? That's incredible!

🔗 Collocations

really mean it – to be sincere about what one says

really? (question) – used to express surprise or seek confirmation

really believe – to hold a firm conviction

🔄 Synonyms

truly (adv.) – in a truthful way

honestly (adv.) – in a sincere and truthful manner

genuinely (adv.) – in a way that is authentic or real

🚫 Antonyms

falsely (adv.) – in a way that is not true or correct

insincerely (adv.) – without genuine feelings

doubtfully (adv.) – in a way that expresses uncertainty