realistic

adjective

re·​al·​is·​tic ˌrē-ə-ˈli-stik How to pronounce realistic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or marked by literary or artistic realism : accurately representing what is natural or real
a realistic novel
realistic portraiture
realistic sound effects
Such films tend to be more expressionistic than realistic.Ira Konigsberg
: convincingly rendered to appear natural
Realistic, sensitive artificial skin would be an important step towards making the prosthetic feel like an extension of the body.Julian Smith
2
: able to see things as they really are and to deal with them in a practical way
a sensible, realistic person/attitude
trying to be realistic about their chances for success
3
: based on what is real rather than on what is wanted or hoped for : not impractical or visionary
a realistic plan
realistic expectations
setting realistic goals
It's not realistic to expect people to spend that much money on wedding gifts.
For the first time, people with cancers that have long outwitted science have a realistic chance of getting a miracle, too.Sharon Begley
realistically adverb
depicting a scene realistically
approaching a problem realistically

Examples of realistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each egg features realistic speckles—like the real deal—and the wreath’s natural twig base coils around the eggs to add even more interest and a touch of texture. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 Potential for Harm Although Yadav warns that too much of some vitamins can be toxic, overdosing via vitamin patches doesn’t seem to be a realistic fear, as Sam Tejada, functional medical expert at Liquivida Wellness Center, can attest. Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024 On the plus side, one of those accessories is unique and sure to be a hit with kids: A realistic turkey with removable legs to share with friends. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 Time management and setting realistic goals become crucial in balancing studies with other life commitments. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Recently, OpenAI announced Sora, a generative-video system that can create realistic video clips from text prompts. Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 One evaluator said a 40/40 campaign or 50-homer season could be realistic. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Filmmakers are often looking for VFX that will fit into their overall vision for the story and not necessarily something that is simply realistic. Karen Idelson, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 This helps familiarize you with the exam format, pace, and types of questions, providing a realistic assessment of your readiness and areas needing improvement. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'realistic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of realistic was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near realistic

Cite this Entry

“Realistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realistic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

realistic

adjective
re·​al·​is·​tic
ˌrē-ə-ˈlis-tik,
ˌri-ə-
1
: true to life or nature
a realistic painting
2
: ready to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly
a realistic approach
realistically
-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on realistic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!