Synonyms

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

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.

That matters because in the real world, A.I. use comes in a spectrum.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

In the real world, underspending is often blamed on uncertainty.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who had not played since last August's US Open, said he was "excited to enter the real world".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

In the real world, Firefox had other security mitigations that would have stopped the attack, which would have made more work for real-world hackers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Emery follows Francis to the counter and pays the bill, and when we step back out into the real world, I feel my eyes struggling to adjust.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

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