reallyreal‧ly /ˈrɪəli/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
a really good film It was really cold last night. He walks really slowly. I’m really, really sorry.RegisterReally 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.2the 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 PHRASES3definitely used to emphasize something you are saying: We really need that extra money. I really don’t mind. I’m absolutely fine, Dad – really.4not 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?5a) 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!6not 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.7should/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.8really and truly (also really, truly American English) used to emphasize a statement or opinion: He was really and truly a brilliant comedian.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Really, Matt, did you have to make such a mess?
- Are you sure she's really a lawyer? She doesn't act like one.
- Considering this was your first time, I think you did really well.
- Do you really want to come with us? It'll be very boring for you.
- Do you think she's really sorry?
- Don't trust James -- all he's really interested in is your money.
- He really doesn't trust me, does he?
- He failed his tests, but he's quite a bright guy, really.
- His letter really irritated her.
- I'm always really hungry by noon.
- I really like your new haircut.
- I don't think she really believes she can win.
- Is your cousin really a movie star?
- It's really cold out there.
- It's all so long ago now, it's difficult to believe that any of it really happened.
- It doesn't really matter, does it?
- My kids would really like this.
- Neither of us really wanted to stay in Texas, but we couldn't leave his family at that time.
- No, really, I'm fine. Don't worry.
- But the tenure decision was really made because of my teaching.
- If they don't know what they do that you really like, you leave them guessing.
- Only now, he reflected, was he beginning to feel really secure.
- She used to really like those shopping trips to Nordstrom.
- The objectors really should reflect more on the alternatives.
- This is a dazzlingly entertaining novel, spirited in all ways, and really, really mean.
- Yet it was not really cold here; the temperature was well above freezing point.
- You really have to be ready for something like that.
Longman Language Activatorwhen the real situation is different from what people think
especially spoken used to tell or ask someone what the real situation is, when they think it is something different: · "Here's the $10 I owe you." "Actually, you owe me 20."· Did he actually hit you or just threaten you?· It turns out that one of the children I thought was a girl was actually a boy.
used to tell someone what the real situation is, when they think it is something different. Actually is more informal and is used more in conversation than in fact . Actually is also used more in questions than in fact . Actually is often used at the beginning of a sentence that answers a question, but in fact is not.: · He said it would be cheap but in fact it cost over £200.· No, I'm not offended at all. In fact, I'm glad you asked the question.in actual fact/in point of fact: · They seem to think that building a new road will improve the traffic problem, whereas in point of fact it will make it worse.· There are almost 200,000 possible combinations of symbols. In actual fact, only a small number of these are used.
spoken used to say what the truth is, especially because something about the situation may make people believe something that is wrong: · He failed his tests, but he's quite a bright guy, really.· Are you sure she's really a lawyer? She doesn't act like one.· They're asking £600,000 for the house. That's more than it's really worth.
used to introduce the second part of a statement when you want to show that the first part is not true or exact: · It seems like just yesterday, but in reality it was five years ago.· Nowadays owning a car may appear to be a necessity, but in reality it isn't.· They say that the economy is already coming out of the recession, but the reality is that there has been no improvement at all.the reality of the situation is: · The reality of the situation is that by sending drug users to jail, the government may be discouraging people from seeking treatment.
used to show what the real truth or fact is in a situation, when this is surprising or different from what people believed was true: · The truth was that she did not enjoy getting together with the rest of her family.· The fact is he was murdered. He didn't commit suicide at all.· I may make it all look easy, but the truth is I work very hard.
used to show the difference between what is supposed to happen according to a rule or law, and what does happen: · Teenagers are not allowed to drink in bars, but in practice they often do.· Economic predictions are highly theoretical. It's what they mean in practice that is important.in theory ... in practice: · The law seemed like a good idea in theory, but in practice it has proved far too expensive.
used to show what really happens, even though this was not clear from what was said or done: · Foreign companies have been effectively running the country for decades.· Management seems to be saying, in effect, that if we don't like the offer, we can all quit.
when what really happens is different from stories, films etc · Does Santa Claus really exist?· There are many stories which describe wolves as dangerous, blood-thirsty animals, but actually they prefer to avoid human beings.
in the world in which people really live, not in the world which exists in people's imagination: · Romances of that kind don't happen in the real world.· In the real world no one actually dies of a broken heart, but it happens in operas all the time.· His sudden success is something you never really expect to happen in the real world.
in real life , as opposed to what happens in films or stories: · In real life there's no magic wand to make all our problems disappear.· On TV he plays a teenager, but in real life he's married with two children.
very much very much: · She's changed a lot since she's been here.· "How does your arm feel?" "It still hurts a lot."· I like her a lot, but I don't think I'm in love with her.a lot better/worse/bigger/more etc: · Their new house is a lot bigger than their old one.· The tickets were a lot more expensive than we expected.a whole lot/an awful lot: · I like the people a whole lot, but the pay isn't very good.
use this especially to talk about people's feelings: · "Do you like living in Rome?" "Yes, very much."like/admire/miss etc somebody very much: · Lara liked being at college, but she missed her family very much.like/enjoy something very much: · We enjoyed the play very much - it was really well done.very much wish/hope/doubt etc formal: · I doubt very much that he'll still be here in November.
formal very much - use this especially to talk about changes, improvements, or differences: · Her work has improved a good deal over the past year.· By the next morning the swelling had already gone down a great deal.a good/great deal better/worse/bigger/more etc: · The situation was a good deal worse than we had first thought.
/a fair bit British by a fairly large degree: · She's quite a bit shorter than I remembered.· Jim has improved quite a bit since he came home from the hospital.· The estimates were a fair bit higher than what the final figure was.
especially spoken a lot - use this especially to talk about your feelings: · I really like your new haircut.· We really enjoy having a few friends over for dinner every once in a while.· What really annoys me is the way he never apologizes when he's late.
formal a lot: · We greatly regret having caused you so much trouble and inconvenience.· The recent talks have greatly improved relations between North and South Korea.· I think we have all benefited greatly from Helen's knowledge and experience.be greatly affected/amused/influenced etc: · The students were greatly amused by Professor Unwin's remark.· Critics say that the report's figures are greatly exaggerated.
use this especially when you are saying how much you love, want, or admire something or someone: · It's two years since Tony died. I miss him so much.· I wanted so much to go with him, but he wouldn't let me come.· Wordsworth returned to the lakes and hills that he loved so much.so much better/worse/more etc: · I really like the living room arranged this way so much better than the way we used to have it.
use this in questions and negatives and in comparisons and before phrases with 'too': · Has he changed much?· "Did you enjoy the show?" "Not much."much better/worse/bigger/more etc: · You get a much better view if you stand on a chair.· His family is much more important to him than his career.much too big/old/tall etc: · The test was much too difficult for most of the students.· You're working much too hard, and you're letting the boss take advantage of you.
use this to emphasize that you mean 'very much': · His English has improved tremendously.· I admire your mother enormously.· Prices can vary enormously from state to state.· Since the law was changed, the number of credit unions has grown tremendously.
use this when you are talking about a change or difference that is big enough to be important: · In New York and Los Angeles violent crime decreased significantly.· All ovens are different, and cooking times can vary significantly.significantly higher/lower/more etc: · Students who had completed the program scored significantly higher on standardized tests.
ways of saying no to a question, request, or suggestion use this when someone asks you a question or makes a request or suggestion: · "Are you Italian?" "No, I'm Spanish."· "Shall I help you?" "No, no -- I can do it on my own, thanks."the answer's no: · If she asks to borrow any more money, the answer's no!
use this when what someone has suggested is not at all true, or when saying you do not mind at all if someone does something: · "Your boys are keen on sport, aren't they?" "Not at all - just the opposite in fact."· "Is my radio bothering you?" "Not at all -- I'm quite enjoying it."· "I'd like to be on my own for a while. Do you mind?" "Not at all," she said kindly.
use this when saying that you are sorry that you cannot do something that someone has asked you to do, do not have something someone has asked you for etc: · "Are you coming to the barbecue tomorrow?" "No, I'm afraid not. I've promised to go and see my Mum."· "Have you got change for £20?" "No, I'm afraid not."
use this to say no very strongly, when you think what someone has suggested or asked is clearly unlikely or stupid: · "Are you serious about Sam?" "Of course not, we're just good friends."· "Don't tell anyone else, will you?" "Of course not."
use this when someone asks if you want to do something, if you like something etc, and although you say no you do not have very strong feelings about it: · "Do you want to come to the movie with us?" "Not really. I think I'll just stay in and read."· "But you quite enjoy your job, don't you?" "Not really, no. I feel I could do with a change."
use this especially when forbidding someone to do something or when you are annoyed or shocked that they have suggested something: · "Can I have some wine?" "Certainly not -- you're far too young!"· "Are you thinking of resigning?" "Certainly not."
informal use this when you are saying very strongly that you refuse to do something or when you are sure that something cannot possibly be true: · I'm not going to work late on Friday night! No way!· "Do you think we can make the trip in two hours?" "No way! It'll take more like four."· I don't believe he stole the money -- no way!
informal use this when you think that what someone has asked or suggested seems stupid or dangerous and you would definitely not consider doing it: · "Want a ride on the back of my motorcycle?" "You must be kidding."· "Are you going out with Jake?" "You must be joking! I wouldn't go out with him if he was the last person on earth."
when someone really feels something when you really feel something, really want something etc, and you are not just pretending to feel it: · Do you think she's really sorry?· Do you really want to come with us? It'll be very boring for you.· I don't think she really believes she can win.
use this to describe feelings, attitudes and beliefs that someone really feels and is not just pretending to feel: · She was clearly in real pain.· He didn't show any real regret for the suffering he had caused.· Real commitment is needed from everyone on the team if we're going to make this project work.
if you are sincere , or have sincere feelings, you really feel or believe something and are not just pretending: · It is my sincere belief that if we work together we can achieve peace in this country.sincere in: · They seemed to be sincere in their concern for the children's welfare.sincere thanks/apologies formal: · I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who helped us.
genuine feelings are real and not pretended - use this especially when you are surprised that someone has these feelings: · I'm not sure if her sympathy was really genuine.· For the first time on the trip, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.· This is the first genuine attempt to reach a peaceful settlement to the dispute.
very real and strongly felt: · Christine breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief.· She expressed her heartfelt thanks to all those who had helped and supported her.· Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on your sad loss.· The family made a heartfelt plea to the kidnappers to release their son.
if you say or mean something from the heart , you really mean it and feel it very strongly: · He stood up and spoke simply but from the heart.from the bottom of somebody's heart: · I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.straight from the heart: · I'm speaking straight from the heart when I say that I believe Marguerite deserves to be chairman.
if you truly believe, want, or feel something, you believe, want, or feel it very strongly and are not just pretending: · I truly believe he is innocent.· She seems truly sorry for what she did.· I truly am impressed with your work.
a feeling that is true is real and strongly felt, not just pretended: · At last he had found true happiness.· As far as Gabby was concerned this was true love.
when someone thinks or feels something but hides it used to say what someone's real thoughts and feelings are when they are pretending to think or feel something else: · Neither of us really wanted to stay in Texas, but we couldn't leave his family at that time.· She didn't complain, but I knew that really she was quite fed up with us all.· Don't trust James -- all he's really interested in is your money.
if you think or feel something deep down , that is what you really think or feel even though you may not say or show it: · He pretends he doesn't care, but deep down I know he's very upset.· I kept pushing the team, but deep down I think I knew we wouldn't win.
if someone is a particular kind of person underneath it all , this is what they are really like: · He likes to show people his tough side, but underneath it all, he's a decent person.
if you feel something inside , that is the way you really feel, even though you do not show it: · I wish I knew what he was feeling inside.· These kids seem so aggressive, but inside they're terrified.
used to tell someone that you are serious, or to ask if someone is serious spoken say this to emphasize that something surprising is really true, or to ask whether something surprising is really true: really?/seriously?: · "She's quit her job. "Seriously?''· "It took three hours to travel ten miles, the traffic was so bad.'' "Really? You must be exhausted.''
especially American, spoken say this when you think other people will not believe that you are telling the truth, or to ask if someone is joking because what they say does not seem true: · I'm telling you, this guy's as fast as Carl Lewis -- no kidding!· "She's getting married again." "No kidding?"
spoken say this when you are telling someone about something that will be hard for them to believe: · He asked me, in all seriousness, if I would marry him next week.· She had heard someone say, in all seriousness, that women would never make good golfers because of the shape of their bodies.
British spoken say this to show that you are now being serious about something, after you and other people have been joking about it: · Joking apart, I do feel somebody should tell him what we think. It's for his own good.
ways of saying that something is really true spoken · Is your cousin really a movie star?· It's all so long ago now, it's difficult to believe that any of it really happened.· "She's leaving her husband, you know." "Really?"
spoken say this to emphasize that someone should believe what you are saying: · I was going to give you it back, honestly.· I honestly don't think we'll be in court all day tomorrow.· Honestly, it makes no difference to me where we have the wedding.
use this to emphasize that you are sincere about what you are saying and really mean it: truly sorry/happy/surprised etc: · I'm truly sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.· For the first time in her life she felt truly happy.truly believe/think etc: · If we truly believe we can win, then we have a very good chance at doing it.
very · Juan is a very good dancer.· Your house is very different from the way I'd imagined it.· "Was it a good movie?" "Yes, very."· This meeting is very important, so be on time.· During our time working together I got to know her very well.· Everything was happening very quickly, and I don't remember it all.· The ambassador made a brief statement, saying that the talks had been very productive.
especially spoken use this especially to talk about your feelings or what you think about something: · It's really cold out there.· I'm always really hungry by noon.· That's a really pretty dress - where did you get it?· Considering this was your first time, I think you did really well.
formal very - use this only with particular adjectives: highly dangerous/toxic/flammable: · Danger: highly flammable materials!highly skilled/educated/ trained/intelligent: · Our engineers are highly skilled and very difficult to replace when they leave.highly likely/unlikely/probable/doubtful/suspicious: · I think it's highly unlikely that Bob had anything to do with the theft.highly successful/productive: · She arrived in Australia as a refugee, but went on to become a highly successful lawyer.
use this to describe very strong or very sincere feelings: · We are all deeply saddened by Bill's sudden death.· The ceremony was short but deeply moving.· Senator McCain is deeply committed to campaign finance reform.· I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for everything you've done for me.· Local residents are deeply concerned about the threat to health posed by the power station.
American spoken very: · I think it was real sweet that she called me herself.· The sidewalk was real wet and slippery.· He got up real close to the bear and took a picture.
use this to emphasize how you feel about something: · It all happened so fast.· You've been so kind. I hope I can repay you some day.· The dresses were lovely, and the colours were so pretty.· That puppy is so cute!
especially American, spoken use this to emphasize a description of someone or something: · She's one crazy lady!· That's one fancy car you've got there.
definitely or in a way that is easily noticed: · The weather had turned decidedly chilly.· The play has received decidedly negative reviews.
especially British use this with words that mean 'excellent': · Thank you, Gloria. That meal was quite delicious!· The concert was quite wonderful. I'm sorry you couldn't make it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The idea of working abroad really appeals to me. We really liked the film. I really like Sam. campaigning on issues that really matter You don’t really mean that, do you? The police are advising motorists to travel only if their journey is absolutely necessary.
The idea of working abroad really appeals to me.· It is absolutely essential to keep this information secret.
· Do you think ghosts really exist?
(=definitely)· I didn’t really expect her to come.
We really liked the film. I really like Sam. campaigning on issues that really matter You don’t really mean that, do you? The police are advising motorists to travel only if their journey is absolutely necessary.· Your family must be very proud of you.
· By this time I was feeling really scared.
· We are all deeply shocked by what’s happened.
· I would be very surprised if that was the case.
· Do you really want to succeed?
· We were really worried about him during the divorce.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· I had a very good social life and made about six really good friends.· If some one has a really good day, I call.· The evening was really good, but Mark and I rather missed reeling - no comparison to not-very-good disco.· I felt really good last year when we were in this position, that we were going to come back and win.· She had discovered the name of a really good - and expensive, but never mind! - hairdresser.· With primary pupils you get a lot of really complicated questions, and sometimes really good ones too.· It works for him and it's obviously brought him dividends because he's a really good player.· Male speaker It's a really good piece of land.
· You may well ask if such precision is really necessary!· But no coaching is really necessary in such matters.· In truth, a guide wasn't really necessary for our party that good-weather day.· The first step is to determine whether buttering up is really necessary.· If the leader is so effective, is the group really necessary?· Is it really necessary that we learn everything by trial by fire?· Photographs Are these really necessary and do all the sections of the list need to have them?· Is it really necessary for me to get under the bed and shine a light like this?
VERB· That you really believe that you could not possibly be a victim of this terrible conspiracy.· But I really believe everybody is going to step up.· You're less likely to be criticised for what you really believe in.· If Coach, if Mr Lewis, really believed I could do this...· I really believe that Liverpool can turn around that 4-2 first leg reversal and win this game.· I really believe I could have hit a mosquito in the eye with a pine needle at thirty paces.· Do we really believe that such an instinct is to be found encoded only into molecular and electromagnetic patterns within the brain?· But I really believe in the role of luck in human affairs.
· She had contrarily thought that if he really cared he would have come running after her.· Mr Steve George should not really care what the status of the building is.· I decided I was going to do this and I didn't really care what anybody else thought I should do.· I don't really care about what happened last year.· Do you know, sometimes I feel that the only person he really cares for on this earth is the Begum.· How deeply did people really care?· She had really cared for my mother.· Do I really care what she would think now?
· But because I really enjoy it all how can I call it work?· Highlight each of the skills you really enjoyed using.· There comes a time to end everything, like leaving a party when you're really enjoying yourself.· What he really enjoyed was the challenge and the stimulation of new problems to be solved in new and ingenious ways.· Something the kids really enjoyed on our travels was a trip to the spectacular Tarot Gardens, near Capalbio.· Kids 10 and younger will really enjoy it.· Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the dressing up but I feel he is out of control.· They're both getting fatter and healthier, and they really enjoy their food now.
· I can't really feel much that is going on.· You never really feel like you have accomplished anything tangible.· If you are feeling really confident, you can try one foot and one hand together.· Art and Debbie Pacheco made us feel really welcome.· What did he really feel for her?· I feel really good that I work out, because I overcame all the excuses.· And what confused her was the fact that she didn't really feel angry.· Was it self-deception or did she really feel warm to his touch?
· So, now we can really get on with the party.· Her boss, Detective Hineline, is always giving her a hard time and she never gets really mad at him.· I get really finicky and picky.· He really got hurt in our last game when we lost to the Steelers in the playoffs.· She didn't really get the idea.· Imagine what you do before the day really gets rolling: What do you have for breakfast?· It is the charity that really gets things done for birds the countryside - action for birds, on your behalf.· But I tell you, the adults really got excited about it.
· Everybody tries desperately to have a good time, but it never really happens.· I feel kind of foolish admitting it, but it really happened in a dream.· To this day, I don't know what really happened to Kay Amin's body.· At least this is a step toward the truth, what really happened.· Only then would he know for certain that it had really happened, and that he would have to take some action.· All this happened really fast: it probably takes a longer time to tell about it than it actually happened.· Was it really happening in a world where women can be lawyers, prime minister, soldiers or just about anything?· There is much on what is really happening at universities.
· This will only bring about grief for what do we really know about ourselves or some one else?· No one really knows what happened.· Last year none of them really knew me.· He had not really known that until now, but it was true.· We are looking at Organic growing by people who have been there and really know the problems.· The whole body, the cells, whatever it is that is moving we do not really know.· But no one really knows what it means.· How could I have been living here all my life and never really known it before?
· Altogether, the solo is nicely formulated, but I don't really like the D notes which creep into bar 5.· I went back to working in a business I knew I already really liked.· Start thinking today what you would really like to work towards over the next few months and even years.· That teachers really like it if you imitate them.· I didn't really like him.· I really like things having to do with sea level, being a paleontologist.· I didn't really like her from the start, never mind feeling any love for her.· I really liked Yale, but it was quite intimidating.
· Did he really look like that all the time?· You know, really look at them and wonder about them?· In fieldwork, you are really looking for anything that might confirm the existence of a ley.· Wendi was really looking for a stepfather to her kids.· It did look really smart though.· When I really looked, he seemed so sad and out of it.· Just lately I have made a conscious effort to really look at the book.
· You've got to love that idea really love it: they don't know.· We really love playing clubs, too.· They really love each other I really think they do.· I love collaborating, but I really love the isolation of writing.· But Clare really loved the country and had made some very good friends, especially in Zagreb.· Edusha also admitted that she had never really loved Edek.· I really love him, I really, really do.· But, then-did he really love her?
· It does not really matter how you describe the style - Wimbledon, long ball, direct.· Well, the things that really mattered.· It does not really matter so long as we accept both points of view.· This time the alleged transgressions involve a violation of constitutional protections that really matter in a democracy.· Does it really matter that much in the post-Cold War period?· You've already got Oswin, so it doesn't really matter much.· In the West, where the one thing that really mattered was water, states should logically be formed around watersheds.
· I don't even know what you really mean by the word.· And it turns out that he does not really mean it.· I really meant to get in touch with you again after Paris, but somehow I felt I'd blown it.· Without really meaning to, Chuck proves her right in seven comical episodes.· Can I really mean to personify the community in this vivid way?· People kept asking us: What does it really mean?· Actually, I don't really mean that, back in time.· Whatever that phrase really means, Tuesday's program Twentieth-Century Landscapes showed how freely composers exploited sound in the past century.
· I really need to talk to you.· I didn't really need too much time to think about it, I just instinctively knew.· Pleasure, a rarity at any rate, only serves to weaken one; what one really needs is stamina and discipline.· I don't think you really need to approach it that way.· But what dislocated workers really needed was some form of resource that would let them decide their own needs.· It was so substantial that it really needs to be removed from the appetizer list and placed under entrees.
· And if you really think you're getting better, you can get better.· Did he really think that abstention by the officers would influence the enlisted men?· We really thought we'd found a quicker way to get copies to our distant subscribers.· She really thought she was sitting on the sofa in her living room.· Had he really thought that or was he joking?· Did they really think the Jerusalem question would be solved in a week?· She wandered, without really thinking, down to the side of the lake.· And although when I was very young I rarely told anyone what I really thought, I clattered on interminably.
· I still meet research managers from other businesses who feel that their companies don't really understand or want them.· Of all the servants, the only one who really understood my need to do things for myself was Koju.· But quite often they have not really understood the question.· They never really understood me, as the saying goes.· Carolyn never really understood Alan's reaction to her being pregnant.· When processes are so complex nobody really understands them, employees feel like anonymous cogs in a big machine.· Paul still doesn't really understand why.· But, you see, they never had the capacity of really understanding what was up.
· All kinds of conditioning causes us to act in a way that we know is contrary to what we really want.· So do we really want to fight management mano a mano?· But I've no regrets - I don't really want to own a car.· And as I write these words I am not even sure I would really want to.· Goal planning is the act of deciding what you really want to do and then how you will go about doing it.· Stop denying yourself food, stop eating carrots when what you really want is carrot cake.· He's going to resist and negotiate them down to whatever it is they really want.· And does Terry really want him to?
· It's still early enough to finish them if I work really hard this month.· The scar metaphor, which runs throughout, never really works.· It works really well on the small screen, too.· Miller and his colleagues worked really hard to secure the Worldwide Plaza contract: It was very important to Mosher.· I could also assess whether this new formula or exercise was really working for them.· It stops them from dropping out and makes them look longer and thicker - I think it really works.· But I really worked hard on them-they represented my bes effort.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► really?PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► see/find out what somebody is (really) made of
- A party which feels obliged to pitch such climbs in good conditions should really go and choose something easier.
- I hoped that would help me through the omnipresent feeling that wherever I am, I should really be somewhere else.
- Only it should really have been the other way around, when you get right down to it.
- Only when the natural world begins to fight back will we know how frightened we should really be.
- Participants should really have attended the previous weekend workshop but please call Pegasus for more information.
- To protect Britain's biggest manufacturer by making it less efficient: now that should really worry the public.
- You should really ask a grunt.
- I really truly love you.
- A trade that really and truly helped both teams.
- She was really and truly home.
- That she'd been really and truly in love and couldn't go on.
- What he would really and truly like was to do this new degree course for Bachelor of Civil Law.
- Who really and truly and honestly gives a shit?
- ``She came to the baby shower we gave for Beth.'' ``Oh, really?''
- "Are you hungry yet?" "Not really."
- "But you quite enjoy your job, don't you?" "Not really, no. I feel I could do with a change."
- "Do you want to come to the movie with us?'' "Not really. I think I'll just stay in and read.''
- It's not really up to me to judge that they are the best ever.
- Jim had not really woken up for his breakfast and was happy to curl up in the back again.
- Lisa always knew she did not really want her baby adapted, and before she was even born had decided against it.
- Mr Steve George should not really care what the status of the building is.
- Striking was not really getting us anywhere.
- The man is big, white, overweight but not really fat.
- The Najadat were in agreement that in fact the people did not really need an imam.
- Unfortunately the bits in between are hard work and ultimately are not really worth the bother.
- But there was something else, too.
- Cancer was something you cut out and that was that.
- It lies unassimilated on the edge of my under-standing; there is something I must learn from it.
- Practice time is something else everyone seems to take for granted.
- She thinks this is something that concerns you, too.
- Surely there was something more to it.
- That is something that special educators have, so far, lamentably failed to offer disabled children and their families.
- Yes, there was something in there and I bet myself it would be Jo's emerald pendant.
- A trade that really and truly helped both teams.
- She was really and truly home.
- That she'd been really and truly in love and couldn't go on.
- What he would really and truly like was to do this new degree course for Bachelor of Civil Law.
- Who really and truly and honestly gives a shit?
WORD FAMILYnounrealismrealistrealityunrealityrealizationadjectiverealunrealrealistic ≠ unrealisticadverbrealreallyrealistically ≠ unrealisticallyverbrealize
1very very SYN extremely: a really good film It was really cold last night. He walks really slowly. I’m really, really sorry.RegisterReally 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.2the 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 PHRASES3definitely used to emphasize something you are saying: We really need that extra money. I really don’t mind. I’m absolutely fine, Dad – really.4not 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?5a) 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!6not 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.7should/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.8really and truly (also really, truly American English) used to emphasize a statement or opinion: He was really and truly a brilliant comedian.