Really vs Actually - What's the difference?
really | actually | Synonyms |
(lb) Actually; in fact; in reality.
:
Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).
:
*, chapter=10
, title= *
*:There was also hairdressing: hairdressing, too, really was hairdressing in those times — no running a comb through it and that was that. It was curled, frizzed, waved, put in curlers overnight, waved with hot tongs;.
Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.
Indicating that what was just said was obvious and unnecessary; contrived incredulity
(colloquial, chiefly, US) Indicating affirmation, agreement.
Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.
(modal) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
(obsolete) actively
remarked upon the irony that this qualifier of veracity often introduces an utter lie;, page 3 and,
* noted that in many cases, (term) functions as little more than a vacuous emphatic utterance.ibidem , page 4
* In practice, actually and its synonyms are often used to insinuate that the following is either unusual or contrary to a norm or preceding assumption, or to merely preface an overconfident opinion contrasting a previous statement or norm (as per 'vacuous emphasis' note above).
: This is actually a really beautiful song. (contrasting opinion)
: Actually , I'm not from France - I'm from Switzerland. (contrary from assumption)
: At the check-out, the cashier actually greeted me for once. (contrary from norm)
Actually is a synonym of really.
As adverbs the difference between really and actually
is that really is actually; in fact; in reality while actually is in act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.As an interjection really
is indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.really
English
Adverb
(en adverb)The Mirror and the Lamp, passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.}}
Usage notes
* Like its synonyms, really is, in practice, often used to preface an opinion, rather than a fact. (See also usage notes for .) : Increasingly people are recognising what's really important is having children. '>citationSynonyms
* (actually) actually, in fact, indeed, truly * (sense) soStatistics
*Interjection
(en interjection)- A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.
- B: Really?
- A: I've just been reading Shakespeare - he's one of the best authors like, ever!
- B: Really .
- A: That girl talks about herself way too much.
- B: Really . She's a nightmare.
- Well, really ! How rude.
Synonyms
* you don't say, no kidding, oh really, no reallyReferences
actually
English
Adverb
(-)- Actually , I had nothing to do with that incident.
- Neither actually nor passively. — Fuller.