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really

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really¹

  • /ˈɹɪə.li/ UK
  • [ˈɹʷɪə̯lɪ] UK
  • [-li] UK
  • [ˈɹʷɪː-] UK
  • /ˈɹɪl.i/ US
  • /ˈɹi.li/ US
  • /ˈɹi.ə.li/ US
  • /ˈɹiə.liː/ New Zealand
  • [ˈɹʷeə̯ɫiː] New Zealand
  • [ˈɹʷiə̯-] New Zealand
  • /ˈrɪ.jə.liː/ India
  • /rɪˈjɜː.liː/ India
  • /ˈɹeɪlɪ/ obsolete

Sounds like rarely · Rhymes with -iːli

Where it comes from

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.

adverb more really · most really · real-ly · reälly

  1. In a way or manner that is real, not unreal. We are to believe that by an extraordinary Conception by Means of the holy Ghost he in an extraordinary MANNER, (unknown to us) really assumed Flesh, and was by her nourished in the Womb and in due Time born in a natural Manner, and that whilst on Earth he was really hungry, and dry, and eat and dra
  2. modal Actually; in fact; in reality. "He really is a true friend." / "Really? What makes you so sure?"
  3. informal Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb). But ma, I really, really want to go to the show!

Similar: in fact, indeed, truly, so

interjection real-ly · reälly

  1. informal Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism. A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.
  2. broadly, informal A phatic confirmation by a listener, to signal active listening; mostly devoid of literal meaning, with the phatically contrived incredulity being merely formulaic. A: You know, I saw Oliver the other day.
  3. informal, sarcastic Indicating that what was just said was obvious and unnecessary; contrived incredulity A: I've just been reading Shakespeare - he's one of the best authors like, ever!
  4. US, informal Indicating affirmation, agreement. A: That girl talks about herself way too much.
  5. informal Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement. Well, really! How rude.

Similar: gosh, is that so, no kidding, no really, no way, oh dear, oh my, oh really, you don't say, wow

really²

verb reallies · reallying · reallied

  1. alternative Alternative form of re-ally.re-ally She wished since long to die and to be reallied with her children in heaven.

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