real Hear it!

real¹ Definition

real (rē′əl, rēl)

adjective

  1. existing or happening as or in fact; actual, true, etc.; not merely seeming, pretended, imagined, fictitious, nominal, or ostensible
    1. authentic; genuine
    2. not pretended; sincere
  3. designating wages or income as measured by purchasing power
  4. Law of or relating to permanent, immovable things real property
  5. Math. designating or of the part of a complex number that is not imaginary: all irrational and rational numbers are real numbers
  6. Optics of or relating to an image made by the actual meeting of light rays at a point
  7. Philos. existing objectively; actual (not merely possible or ideal), or essential, absolute, ultimate (not relative, derivative, etc.)

Etymology: OFr < ML realis < L res, thing < IE base *rei-, property, thing > Sans rai, wealth, property

noun

anything that actually exists, or reality in general: with the

adverb

Informal very

real¹ Idioms

for real

Slang real or really

real² Definition

real (rē′əl; Spre äl′)

noun pl. re′·als or re·al′esre ä′les

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

Etymology: Sp & Port, lit., royal < L regalis: see regal

real³ Definition

real (re äl′)

noun

  1. reis
  2. pl. re·ais′

    Etymology: Port: see real

    the basic monetary unit of Brazil

real Synonyms

real

modif.

  1. Genuine

    true, authentic, original, sincere; see genuine 1, 2.

  2. Having physical existence

    actual, solid, firm, substantive, material, live, substantial, existent, tangible, existing, present, palpable, factual, sound, concrete, corporal, corporeal, bodily, incarnate, embodied, physical, sensible, stable, in existence, de facto (Latin), perceptible, evident, undeniable, irrefutable, practical, true, true to life.

    Antonyms unreal*, unsubstantial*, hypothetical. *

  3. *Very

    extremely, exceedingly, exceptionally, uncommonly; see very.

real, actual, and true are often used interchangeably to imply correspondence with fact, but in discriminating use, true implies conformity with a standard or model a true democrat or with what actually exists a true story, actual stresses existence or occurrence as opposed to what is possible, likely, or abstract actual and hypothetical examples, and real highlights a distinction between what something is and what a substitute, counterfeit, etc. seems or pretends to be real rubber, real courage

for real*

  1. really, actually, in fact, in earnest; see really 1.

  2. real, actual, genuine, sincere; see genuine 1, 2.

real Finance Definition

The currency unit of Brazil, comprised of 100 centavos.

real Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

more: There are infinitely more reals than floats, so some corners must be cut.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

make: It aims to make that vision real through political education, political participation and political representation.

Modifies a noun

  • estate: Why should you invest in real estate in Bulgaria?
  • difference: Even small amounts of capital can make a real difference to local services.
  • ale: Web links that may interest you None Real ale Very unlikely Access via public transport Good.
  • world: Let's start with a look at the way in which inequalities actually get tackled in the real world.
  • life: Many today seek a more significant life, an enduring life, what they might call a real life.
  • problem: Maybe they're the real problem, not our way of life.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: For the pure in heart in a very real sense, THE BEST IS YET TO BE.
  • only: Constant supervision is the only real means of ensuring your child's safety.
  • too: On my soul, I think the eyes are too real for the face!
  • so: The puzzles look so real online jigsaw puzzle and the music sounds so great!
  • quite: Photography was, of course, quite real, but it has proven to be a favorite tool of hoaxers since its invention.
  • little: John Hawkins ( Wiltshire ) agreed saying there was little real understanding of the significance and importance of the national agreement.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: This, I suggest, is what makes the dream seem more real on waking up.
  • feel: It feels more real, it feels as tho you were conscious in the dream.
  • make: Resource was commissioned by DCMS in February 2003 to lead the preparation of a three-year action plan to make real the vision.
  • produce: Whatever your needs, be assured of our helpful, no-nonsense approach that produces real, attainable choices.

Preposition: in

sense: Brahman, Ultimate Reality, is real in the truest sense.

Preposition: than

one: There is no other world that is more real than the one in which we live.