in real life
idiom
: in a real situation : in actual existence
We can laugh at things in movies that would scare us in real life.
Examples of in real life in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The little animals that will come to be emblematic of the 2026 Games are stoats, extremely cute critters that in real life are related to the weasel and the otter.
—
Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of the background actors are actually nurses in real life – including Ned Brower, who plays ER nurse Jesse Van Horn on the show.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Nearby Seceda mountain later featured as a screensaver in Apple’s iOS 7 update in 2013, prompting waves of visitors keen to see the image in real life — with daily numbers reportedly reaching 8,000 at peak times.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Her live performance sequences are as electric on camera as in real life.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in real life
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Mark Scaglione, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Many of the background actors are actually nurses in real life – including Ned Brower, who plays ER nurse Jesse Van Horn on the show.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Nearby Seceda mountain later featured as a screensaver in Apple’s iOS 7 update in 2013, prompting waves of visitors keen to see the image in real life — with daily numbers reportedly reaching 8,000 at peak times.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Her live performance sequences are as electric on camera as in real life.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in real life
Cite this Entry
“In real life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20real%20life. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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