really

Etymology

It is formed from English real + -ly.^[2][3][4][5] Merriam-Webster gives the Middle English form as rialliche, from rial and -liche.^[6] The OED compares Medieval Latin realiter (“actually, in fact”), frequent in British sources from the 11th century, and Middle French reaument, realment and French réellement.^[4] Real comes through Old French reel from Late Latin realis (“actual”), from Latin res (“thing, matter”).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

In reality, substantially, with reference to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist: before 1400 in Barnhart, about 1400 in Etymonline.^[3][2] The OED's first record, in a translation of Guy de Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie, is from perhaps before 1425.^[4]

Semantic evolution

A theological term for real presence was widened in the early 15th century to "actually, in fact".^[2][3] Etymonline dates purely emphatic use to about 1600, as a corroboration or a mark of surprise or protest,^[2] but the OED has "truly, indeed" from 1561, and the phrase really and truly from 1600.^[4] The parenthetical use that expresses protest or dismay is first in Shakespeare's Hamlet (1604).^[4] Johnson (1755) listed "with actual existence" and "in truth", and called the third use "a slight corroboration of an opinion".^[7] The question really?, expressing surprise or doubt, is first in Richardson's Sir Charles Grandison (1753) in the OED,^[4] while Etymonline dates it to 1815.^[2] The word later became a plain intensifier meaning "very".^[4] In Lancashire, really o' me was an exclamation of surprise.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 1400 – in reality, of Christ's presence in the Eucharist.^[2][3]
• before 1425 – in fact, actually.^[4][3]
• 1561 – truly, indeed, positively.^[4]
• 1600 – really and truly, genuinely, honestly.^[4]
• 1604 – parenthetically, expressing protest or dismay, in Shakespeare's Hamlet.^[4]
• 1641 – sincerely, honestly (obsolete by 1711).^[4]
• 1753 – in a question, expressing surprise or doubt.^[4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. In actual fact; in reality: She didn't really intend to leave.^[6][4][5]
2. Truly, unquestionably; as an intensifier, very: It was a really cold evening.^[6][4]
3. really and truly: genuinely, honestly.^[4][5]

Interjection

1. Expressing mild protest or dismay: Well, really, there was no need for that.^[6][4][5]
2. In a question, expressing surprise or doubt: Really? I had no idea.^[4][5]

Related words

• real
• reality
• royally

Usage notes

An older really, "royally, splendidly", from real in its old sense "royal", is recorded from before 1375 to 1633; the OED and the MED enter it by itself.^[4][9] Re-ally, to ally again, is unrelated in origin.^[10]

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b c d e Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
7. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.
8. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)
9. ^ Kurath, Hans; Kuhn, Sherman M.; Lewis, Robert E., eds. (1952–2001), Middle English Dictionary, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press; online edition ed. Frances McSparran et al. (2000–2018)
10. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House