real
1[ ree-uh l, reel ]
/ ˈri əl, ril /
adjective
adverb
Informal. very or extremely: You did a real nice job painting the house.
noun
the real,
- something that actually exists, as a particular quantity.
- reality in general.
Words nearby real
Idioms for real
- in reality; actually: You mean she dyed her hair green for real?
- real; actual: The company's plans to relocate are for real.
- genuine; sincere: I don't believe his friendly attitude is for real.
for real, Informal.
Origin of real
11400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin reālis, equivalent to Latin re-, variant stem of rēs thing + -ālis -al1
OTHER WORDS FROM real
re·al·ness, nounsynonym study for real
1–5. Real, actual, true in general use describe objects, persons, experiences, etc., that are what they are said or purport to be. That which is described as real is genuine as opposed to counterfeit, false, or merely supposed: a real emerald; real leather binding; My real ambition is to be a dentist. Actual usually stresses contrast with another state of affairs that has been proposed or suggested: The actual cost is much less; to conceal one's actual motive. True implies a perfect correspondence with actuality and is in direct contrast to that which is false or inaccurate: a true account of the events; not bravado but true courage. See also authentic.
usage note for real
The intensifying adverb real, meaning “very,” is informal and limited to speech or to written representations of speech: He drives a real beat-up old car. The adjective real meaning “true, actual, genuine, etc.,” is standard in all types of speech and writing: Their real reasons for objecting became clear in the discussion. The informal adjective sense “absolute, complete” is also limited to speech or representations of speech: These interruptions are a real bother.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for for real (1 of 3)
real1
/ (ˈrɪəl) /
adjective
noun
Derived forms of real
realness, nounWord Origin for real
C15: from Old French réel, from Late Latin reālis, from Latin rēs thing
British Dictionary definitions for for real (2 of 3)
real2
/ (reɪˈɑːl, Spanish reˈal) /
noun plural reals or reales (Spanish reˈales)
a former small Spanish or Spanish-American silver coin
Word Origin for real
C17: from Spanish, literally: royal, from Latin rēgālis; see regal 1
British Dictionary definitions for for real (3 of 3)
real3
/ (Portuguese reˈal) /
noun plural reis (rəjʃ)
the standard monetary unit of Brazil, divided into 100 centavos
a former coin of Portugal
Word Origin for real
ultimately from Latin rēgālis regal 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with for real (1 of 2)
for real
Actually so, genuine, as in Are your plans to move away for real? [Slang; mid-1900s]
Idioms and Phrases with for real (2 of 2)
real
In addition to the idiom beginning with real
- real McCoy, the
also see:
- for real
- get real
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.