reality

noun

re·​al·​i·​ty rē-ˈa-lə-tē 

plural realities

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 people (especially people who are not professional actors) dealing with real-life situations or participating in contrived activities (such as competitions)

I for one am rooting for anything that stems the rising tide of reality on television.

—Ted Cox

… it's a tough choice between The Voice and Dancing With the Stars. … If reality means nothing to you, then you're faced with a medical drama, a superhero drama and comedies.

—Chris Harnick

—usually used before another noun

reality stars

a reality series

reality shows

fans of reality TV/television

… critical judge Simon Cowell praised him as "the best magician ever" on the Britain's Got Talent reality competition.

—Markos Papadatos

The Arkansas native competing on the popular reality dating show The Bachelor has advanced to become one of only three remaining contestants.

—arkansasonline.com

… beat out 20,000 applicants to become one of 18 final contestants on Hell's Kitchen, the reality cooking show that banks on aspiring chefs' ambition (and vulnerabilities) and chef Gordon Ramsay's volatility.

—Sarah Reiss

Phrases

in reality

: in actual fact

Synonyms

• actuality
• case
• fact
• materiality

Examples of reality in a Sentence

the difference between fiction and reality

The reality is that we can't afford to buy a house.

He used television as an escape from reality.

They made the plan a reality.

Recent Examples on the Web

The reality is that those themes are broad, and large things fit under those umbrellas. —Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024

The reality is stark: While the job market burgeons with opportunities, a mismatch in skills leaves many positions unfilled, even in the face of high or rising unemployment. —Miglė Petrauskaitė, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024

The country singer, who appeared on the reality competition series as a guest mentor, shared an emotional moment with Mia Matthews during their session. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024

On the premiere episode of the new Freeform reality series Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise, the BIRD Bakery founder, 41, opened up about moving on after her breakup with the actor, 37. —Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024

Yet the reality is no team in MLS has beaten LAFC more often than the Galaxy. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

And yet that skepticism fails to reckon with an important and grim reality: China and Russia are more firmly aligned now than at any time since the 1950s. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024

What is clear is that, far from remaining aloof from gritty social realities, Whistler loved making pictures of street life, building facades and stores. —Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

Screenshot: David Pierce / The Verge Like any AI product right now, this is sometimes cooler in theory than in reality. —David Pierce, The Verge, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reality

• augmented reality
• reality check
• divorced from reality
• virtual reality
• in reality
• losing his grip on reality
• reality TV/television
• lost touch with reality
• reality shows

Kids Definition

reality

noun

re·​al·​i·​ty rē-ˈal-ət-ē 

plural realities

1

: the quality or state of being real

2

: someone or something real or actual

our dream became a reality

3

: television programming that shows videos of actual occurrences (as police chases, stunts, or natural disasters)