# really

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈɹɪə.li/ · frequency rank #113

## Definitions
1. In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.
2. Actually; in fact; in reality.
3. Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).

## Etymology
From Middle English really, realy, rialliche, equivalent to real + -ly.

## Easily confused with
- **rely** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-rely)
- **reply** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-reply)
- **realm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-realm)
- **relay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-relay)
- **recall** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-recall)
- **replay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-replay)
- **realty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-realty)
- **Reilly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-reilly)
- **royally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-royally)
- **reapply** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/really-vs-reapply)
- **real** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/real-vs-really)
- **ready** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ready-vs-really)
- **rally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rally-vs-really)
- **reality** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reality-vs-really)
- **readily** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/readily-vs-really)

## Common misspellings (7)
`erally`, `raelly`, `reallyy`, `realy`, `realyl`, `relaly`, `rreally`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/really