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

There is much fun and frivolity at the Witch and Culture Festival, but the event also acknowledges some distressing real-life history that goes along with being (or being suspected of being) a witch in Connecticut. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026

In an Instagram Stories post, Kidman also celebrated her real-life sister, Antonia, for National Sisters Day, sharing a photo of the pair riding horses on the beach. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

The model's capabilities also include coding, real-life work, research, long-horizon tasks and visual intelligence. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

The app shows a picture that mimics the real-life progress as each color prints. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 2 Aug. 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