Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

really

/ˈɹɪl.i/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.97 in modern English

Syllables
re-al-ly
IPA
/ˈɹɪl.i/
9
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
3
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.

adv

Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).

Informal

intj

Indicating that what was just said was obvious and unnecessary; contrived incredulity

Informal

intj

Indicating affirmation, agreement.

American usage; Informal

intj

Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.

Informal

Example Sentences

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(H)reh₁-der. Proto-Indo-European *(H)reh₁ís Proto-Italic *reis Classical Latin rēs Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Late Latin reālisder. Old French reelbor. Middle English real Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly Middle English really English really From Middle English really, realy, rialliche, equivalent to real + -ly.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈɹɪl.i/
  • British English: /ˈɹɪə.li/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Homonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce really?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹɪl.i/.
What does really mean?
In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.
Where does really come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce really

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “really”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɹɪl.i/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “really”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “really” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.