Really vs. Absolutely

Really vs. Absolutely — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Really and Absolutely

Reallyadverb

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

Absolutelyadverb

In an absolute or unconditional manner; utterly, positively, wholly.

Reallyadverb

(modal) Actually; in fact; in reality.

"He really is a true friend." / "Really? What makes you so sure?"

Absolutelyadverb

Independently; viewed without relation to other things or factors.

Reallyadverb

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

But ma, I really, really want to go to the show!

Absolutelyadverb

(grammar) In a manner that does not take an object.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reallyinterjection

Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.

A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.B: Really?

Absolutelyinterjection

Yes; certainly; expression indicating strong agreement.

Reallyinterjection

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!B: Really.

Absolutelyadverb

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers;

an absolutely magnificent paintinga perfectly idiotic ideayou're perfectly rightutterly miserableyou can be dead sure of my innocencewas dead tireddead right

Reallyinterjection

Indicating affirmation, agreement.

A: That girl talks about herself way too much.B: Really. She's a nightmare.

Absolutelyadverb

totally and definitely; without question;

we are absolutely opposed to the ideahe forced himself to lie absolutely stilliron is absolutely necessary
ADVERTISEMENT

Reallyinterjection

Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.

Well, really! How rude.

Reallyadverb

in accordance with truth or fact or reality;

she was now truly Americana genuinely open societythey don't really listen to us

Reallyadverb

in actual fact;

to be nominally but not actually independentno one actually saw the sharklarge meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt

Reallyadverb

in fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers);

in truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empirereally, you shouldn't have done ita truly awful book

Reallyadverb

used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;

she was very giftedhe played very wella really enjoyable eveningI'm real sorry about ita rattling good yarn