realistic

American  

[ree-uh-lis-tik] / ˌri əˈlɪs tɪk /

adjective

1. interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical.

   a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.

   Synonyms:

   sensible, hardheaded, common-sense, pragmatic

2. pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or art of things as they really are.

   a realistic novel.

3. resembling or simulating real life.

   a duck hunter skilled at making realistic decoys.

4. Philosophy. of or relating to realists or realism.

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realistic British  

/ ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk /

adjective

1. showing awareness and acceptance of reality

2. practical or pragmatic rather than ideal or moral

3. (of a book, film, etc) depicting or emphasizing what is real and actual rather than abstract or ideal

4. of or relating to philosophical realism

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overrealistically
  adverb
• overrealistic
  adjective
• semirealistically
  adverb
• prorealistic
  adjective
• quasi-realistic
  adjective
• pseudorealistic
  adjective
• unrealistically
  adverb
• semirealistic
  adjective
• antirealistically
  adverb
• nonrealistic
  adjective
• realistically
  adverb
• hyperrealistic
  adjective
• nonrealistically
  adverb
• unrealistic
  adjective
• ultrarealistic
  adjective
• quasi-realistically
  adverb
• antirealistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of realistic

First recorded in 1855–60; realist + -ic

Explanation

If your friend says she is going to fly on wings made of wax, you might tell her to "be realistic!" What you mean is, "In the real world, that is not going to happen." While you might really want to go to an Ivy League college, it's probably more realistic to apply to state schools if your grades aren't that good. A movie can be called realistic if it seems to represent life as it is. Do you ever wonder if reality TV is more realistic than scripted television? The jury is still out on that, but most people agree that if you're being realistic, what matters most about a TV show are its ratings.

Example Sentences

Platform owner Elon Musk previously touted changes to the verification badge as "the only realistic way to address advanced AI bot swarms taking over" after buying Twitter.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The French and German defense ministries will meet in July to develop a realistic road map for future defense cooperation based on a limited number of more relevant and realistic projects, the German official added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Interactions between the magnetic field and the gas remove angular momentum from the pair, allowing the two objects to spiral inward and form a binary system within a realistic timescale.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

When we evaluated the best options for 2026, we looked at what really matters: strong security features, trustworthy privacy policies, realistic data allowances, decent speeds, user-friendly apps and transparent business practices.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

The Aristotelian view of physics, as wrong as it was, was so influential that for more than a millennium it eclipsed all opposing views, including more realistic ones.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Related Words

• businesslike
• down-to-earth
• practical
• pragmatic
• prudent
• rational
• real
• reasonable
• sane
• sensible
• sober