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

Limiting access physically, emotionally, mentally, and energetically is a powerful way to respond to gaslighters who require contact with you to attempt to manipulate your reality effectively. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Apr. 2024

In reality, the lion’s share of what’s in museum storage should be in museum storage. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024

Climate experts caution that larger and more severe weather events due to the effects of climate change have become a reality in America and threaten our future. —Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2024

The story is about a famous family of witches who star in their own reality show, and it's partially inspired by the Kardashians, per Entertainment Weekly. —Ilana Frost, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024

Jupiter meeting Uranus expands your mind to look at reality through an unusual lens. —USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

He was previously linked to Hannah Brown, following their time together on the reality TV show, and dated a few celebrities, including supermodel Gigi Hadid. —The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2024

While the guest list for the gala is kept secret until the night of, the influencer and reality TV star has attended each of the past 10 Met Galas since 2013, mostly with her ex-husband Kanye West. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reality

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

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)