real world

American

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

noun

the realm of practical or actual experience, as opposed to the abstract, theoretical, or idealized sphere of the classroom, laboratory, etc..

recent college graduates looking for jobs in the real world of rising unemployment.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

real-world

adjective

Etymology

Origin of real world

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Perhaps the biggest challenge, and one faced by all companies building humanoid robots, is developing artificial intelligence that can operate in the real world and cope with unpredictable and complicated situations.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Next, researchers trained them to understand the relationship between a reflection and the real world.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

China has more than 40 state-owned robot data-collection facilities where hundreds of on-site humans mimic train bots how to move in the real world.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

College coddling ends in the real world, writes Callum Borchers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

But here in the real world, it’s only Sagan’s lightning bugs leading us to shelter.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023