really

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♦♦♦ re|al|ly /r'iːəli/
1 [ADV] usu ADV with v
You can use really to emphasize a statement. (SPOKEN)
I'm very sorry. I really am...
It really is best to manage without any medication if you possibly can...
2 [ADV] ADV adj/adv
You can use really to emphasize an adjective or adverb.
It was really good...
They were really nice people...
= very
3 [ADV] usu ADV with v, also ADV adj
You use really when you are discussing the real facts about something, in contrast to the ones someone wants you to believe.
My father didn't really love her...
4 [ADV] ADV before v
People use really in questions and negative statements when they want you to answer `no'.
Do you really think he would be that stupid?...
= honestly
5 [ADV] ADV before v
If you refer to a time when something really begins to happen, you are emphasizing that it starts to happen at that time to a much greater extent and much more seriously than before.
That's when the pressure really started...
6 [ADV] ADV after neg, usu ADV with v, also ADV with cl
People sometimes use really to slightly reduce the force of a negative statement. (SPOKEN)
I'm not really surprised...
`Did they hurt you?'--`Not really'...
7 [CONVENTION]
You can say really to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said. (SPOKEN)
`We discovered it was totally the wrong decision.'--`Really?'...

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