Main Entry: re·al·i·ty

Pronunciation: \rē-ˈa-lə-tē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural re·al·i·ties

Date: 1550

1 : the quality or state of being real
2 a (1) : a real event, entity, or state of affairs <his dream became a reality> (2) : the totality of real things and events <trying to escape from reality> b : something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily
3 : television programming that features videos of actual occurrences (as a police chase, stunt, or natural disaster) —often used attributively <reality TV>

— in reality : in actual fact