real-life
adjective
existing or happening in reality.
real-life
American
[ree-uhl-lahyf, reel-]
/ ˈri əlˌlaɪf, ˈril- /
adjective
real life
British
noun
Etymology
Origin of real-life
First recorded in 1830–40
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.
See Examples For:
The powers held by the bad version of Ursula seem to grow the more that Bela feels neglected by real-life Ursula, who works constantly and often gets home late.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
While Naidu's start-up is tapping human emotional intelligence, some entrepreneurs are using artificial intelligence to solve real-life challenges.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
When playing real-life figures, she said: "You have to behave like a sort of detective."
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
She has made one real-life friend so far.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
My father had told us about the actual, real-life Grande Gongo, a cutting-edge container ship docked in Korea and flying the Italian flag.
From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson
Even real life has given us a scary mommy for the ages: Donna Arthur.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
"You can't ride a dragon in real life so you can read about it."
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
“The most important thing, though, is just meeting each other. That’s really the main vision for Wondaween: Showing up together in real life, hanging, dancing, making connections and bringing each other joy.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
Perhaps because she understands that the internet is not real life, and that her message is resonating with a silent majority.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
Moreover, the threat of violence often deterred blacks from pressing legitimate claims, making the “civil rights” of former slaves largely illusory—existing on paper but rarely to be found in real life.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
