real

adjective

re·al | \ ˈrē(-ə)l

Definition of real

(Entry 1 of 5)

1a : having objective independent existence unable to believe that what he saw was real

b : not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory : genuine real gold also : being precisely what the name implies a real professional

c(1) : occurring or existing in actuality saw a real live celebrity a story of real life

(2) : of or relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities left school to live in the real world

(3) : behaving or presented in a way that feels true, honest, or familiar and without pretension or affectation …That was the tragedy of Nurse Jackie … Great nurse. Flawed human being, and an irreparable one. That's also what made her real, and relatable, and what Falco brought so fully to the role …— Verne Gay On the afternoon of May 28, resident Rick Grant told The Enterprise as he waited with other grievers in the town hall's town-board room for his turn before a board, "We all want the same thing: Be real on the taxes, do a proper assessment, a fair assessment." — The Altamont Enterprise For every follower of the PEANUTS comics knows about the Little Red-Haired Girl, the character who intrigues a shy Charlie Brown. Hem he does, and haw he will, and every reader fidgets, too, knowing that such moments are utterly human and all too real.— Alysia Gray-Painter We're living through strange times in America, but that hasn't stopped Chrissy Teigen from being her wonderfully authentic self on social media—from showing up to husband John Legend's Instagram Live concert in a towel to sharing some real talk about childbirth.— Abby Gardner Coach Tucker has always just kept it real with me from the start. … He's been one of the most honest coaches. He's not about the B.S., hype and all that.— Kameron Allen "The thing that makes college basketball so fascinating to me is that almost everyone's a hair away from the dream …. And, let's keep it real, a lot of them are in school just for the experience needed to get to the next level."— LL Cool J Do you actually think you left popularity contests behind in high school? Please, get real.— Jillian Mackenzie

(4) : existing as a physical entity and having properties that deviate from an ideal, law, or standard a real gas — compare ideal sense 1b

d : complete, utter a real fiasco

e : fundamental, essential

f : measured by purchasing power real income real dollars

g(1) : belonging to or having elements or components that belong to the set of real numbers the real roots of an equation a real matrix

(2) : concerned with or containing real numbers real analysis

(3) : real-valued real variable

2 : of or relating to fixed, permanent, or immovable things (such as lands or tenements) real property

3 of a particle : capable of being detected — compare virtual sense 4

for real

1 : genuine couldn't believe the threats were for real

2 : genuinely good or capable of success (as in competition) not yet sure if this team is for real

3 : in earnest : seriously fighting for real

real

adverb

Definition of real (Entry 2 of 5)

chiefly US, informal

: very, really —used as an intensifier It was a good furnace all last winter, they didn't have a single problem with it: it ran real quiet …— Garrison Keillor… the magazine isn't real sure who its readers are …— Tom Carson

real

noun (1)

Definition of real (Entry 3 of 5)

: a real thing especially : a mathematically real quantity

real

noun (2)

re·al | \ rā-ˈäl

Definition of real (Entry 4 of 5)

1 plural reais\ ˈrāsh

, ˈrās , ˈrāzh , ˈrāz \ or reis also reals : the basic monetary unit of Brazil — see Money Table

2 plural reales or reis\ ˈrāsh

, ˈrās , ˈrāzh , ˈrāz \ : a former monetary unit and coin of Portugal

real

noun (3)

re·al | \ rā-ˈäl

plural reales\ rā-ˈä-(ˌ)lās

\ or reals

Definition of real (Entry 5 of 5)

: a former monetary unit and coin of Spain and its possessions

Other Words from real Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about real

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Examples of real in a Sentence

Adjective The movie is based on real events. The detective Sherlock Holmes is not a real person. He has no real power; he is just a figurehead. The battle scenes in the movie seemed very real to me. The team has a real chance at winning. There is a very real possibility that we will be moving to Maine. In real life, relationships are not perfect. The actor looks taller on TV than he does in real life. He's always daydreaming and seems to be out of touch with the real world. What is his real name? Adverb We had a real good time. The water is real warm. We went to bed real late.

First Known Use of real

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1718, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

circa 1626, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1951, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (3)

1555, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for real

Adjective

Middle English, real, relating to things (in law), from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin & Late Latin; Medieval Latin realis relating to things (in law), from Late Latin, real, from Latin res thing, fact; akin to Sanskrit rayi property

Noun (2)

Portuguese, from real royal, from Latin regalis

Noun (3)

Spanish, from real royal, from Latin regalis — more at royal

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Cite this Entry

“Real.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/real. Accessed 18 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for real

real

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of real

(Entry 1 of 2)

: actually existing or happening : not imaginary

: not fake, false, or artificial

: important and deserving to be regarded or treated in a serious way

real

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of real (Entry 2 of 2)

chiefly US, informal : very or really

See the full definition for real in the English Language Learners Dictionary

real

adjective

re·al | \ ˈrē-əl

, ˈrēl \

Kids Definition of real

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not imaginary : actual Blondie's real name is Ashley.

2 : not artificial : genuine real leather He's a real gentleman.

real

adverb

Kids Definition of real (Entry 2 of 2)

: very entry 1 sense 1 I had a real good time.

Choose the Right Synonym for real

Adjective

real, actual, and true mean agreeing with known facts. real is used when a thing is what it appears to be. This is a real diamond. actual means that someone or something does or did occur or exist. Is Santa Claus an actual person? true may be used of something that is real or actual. It's a true story. It may also be used of something that agrees with a standard. A whale is not a true fish.

real

adjective

Legal Definition of real

1a : of or relating to real property a real action — see also real property at property

b in the civil law of Louisiana : attached to a thing rather than a person a real obligation is transferred along with the thing to which it is attached — see also real right — compare personal

2 : actual

3 : adjusted for inflation especially to reflect actual purchasing power real income

History and Etymology for real

Anglo-French, concerning land, property, or things (rather than persons), from Middle French, from Medieval Latin and Late Latin; Medieval Latin realis relating to things (in law), from Late Latin, actual, from Latin res thing, fact