Rarely vs. Really — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Rarely and Really
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Compare with Definitions
Rarely
Not often; seldom
I rarely drive above 50 mph
Really
In actual truth or fact
There isn't really a lake there.
It's just a mirage.
Rarely
Remarkably well
You can write rarely now, after all your schooling
Really
To a great degree; very much
I would really like to meet your sister.
Rarely
Not often; infrequently
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple" (Oscar Wilde).
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Really
Very; utterly
That was a really enjoyable evening.
Rarely
In an unusual degree; exceptionally
"a rarely good judge of the best in modern literature" (Frank Harris).
Really
Without a doubt; indeed
Really, I don't want more dessert.
Rarely
With uncommon excellence
"You can write rarely now, after all your schooling" (George Eliot).
Really
Used to express surprise, skepticism, displeasure, or interest
"I've been reading her diary." "Really?".
Rarely
Not occurring at a regular interval; seldom; not often.
We rarely go to the theatre.
Rarely do you ever find an eagle this far up the river.
Really
(literal) In a way or manner that is real, not unreal.
Rarely
Unusually well; excellently.
Really
(modal) Actually; in fact; in reality.
"He really is a true friend." / "Really? What makes you so sure?"
Rarely
To a rare degree; very.
Really
Very (modifying an adjective); very much (modifying a verb).
But ma, I really, really want to go to the show!
Rarely
In a rare manner or degree; seldom; not often; as, things rarely seen.
Really
Indicating surprise at, or requesting confirmation of, some new information; to express skepticism.
A: He won the Nobel Prize yesterday.
B: Really?
Rarely
Finely; excellently; with rare skill. See 3d Rare, 2.
The person who played so rarely on the flageolet.
The rest of the apartments are rarely gilded.
Really
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.
Rarely
Not often;
We rarely met
Really
Indicating affirmation, agreement.
A: That girl talks about herself way too much.
B: Really. She's a nightmare.
Really
Indicating displeasure at another person's behaviour or statement.
Well, really! How rude.
Really
Royally.
Really
In a real manner; with or in reality; actually; in truth.
Whose anger is really but a short fit of madness.
Why, really, sixty-five is somewhat old.
Really
In accordance with truth or fact or reality;
She was now truly American
A genuinely open society
They don't really listen to us
Really
In actual fact;
To be nominally but not actually independent
No one actually saw the shark
Large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
Really
In fact (used as intensifiers or sentence modifiers);
In truth, moral decay hastened the decline of the Roman Empire
Really, you shouldn't have done it
A truly awful book
Really
Used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;
She was very gifted
He played very well
A really enjoyable evening
I'm real sorry about it
A rattling good yarn
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