real-life

adjective

ˈrē(-ə)l-ˈlīf 

: existing or occurring in reality : drawn from or drawing on actual events or situations

real-life problems

real-life drama

Examples of real-life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Four years on, the two-hander captures the real-life bureaucratic chaos and legal limbo that have followed. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Superstar guests included Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, a real-life wedding and authentic business owners (including Los Angeles’ own Villa’s Tacos) among the set. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

The film stars real-life couple Holland and Zendaya, who play MJ and Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the film, respectively. — ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026

The plot is a movie within a movie, the story paralleling multiple screenplay drafts of the new Stab 3 — the slasher series within the Scream universe based on its real-life events. — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for real-life

• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife
• afterlife
• pocketknife

Kids Definition

real-life

adjective

: happening in reality : being like real life