real
1[ ree-uhl, reel ]
/ ˈri əl, ril /
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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.
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Idioms about real
Origin of real
1First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English real(le) “actual, having physical existence); (law) pertaining to goods or property,” from Old French reel, real and Medieval Latin reālis “(law) pertaining to things rather than persons,” from Late Latin reālis “actual, real,” equivalent to Latin re-, variant stem of rēs “thing, matter, affair” + -ālis -al1
synonym 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.
OTHER WORDS FROM real
re·al·ness, nounWords nearby real
Other definitions for real (2 of 3)
real2
[ rey-ahl; Spanish re-ahl ]
/ reɪˈɑl; Spanish rɛˈɑl /
noun, plural re·als [rey-ahlz], /reɪˈɑlz/, Spanish re·a·les [re-ah-les]. /rɛˈɑ lɛs/.
a former silver coin of Spain and Spanish America, the eighth part of a peso.
Origin of real
2First recorded in 1550–60; from Spanish: literally, “royal” (the coins being minted for the king), from Latin rēgālis regal1
Other definitions for real (3 of 3)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use real in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions 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 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 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
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Other Idioms and Phrases with real
real
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.