real-life

American

[ree-uhl-lahyf, reel-] / ˈri əlˌlaɪf, ˈril- /

adjective

existing or happening in reality.

real-life drama.

real life British

noun

1. actual human life, as lived by real people, esp contrasted with the lives of fictional or fantasy characters
  
  miracles don't happen in real life
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a real-life mystery

"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

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.

Other research has also shown that foot progression angle can be measured outside the lab with wearable sensors, supporting the idea that future versions of this approach could be easier to deliver in real life.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

And her own experience of ghosting in real life is shocking.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

"The true people's car designed for real life," he said.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

And in real life, you don’t always get to play in the Premier League, so the story becomes about the journey, not the destination.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Why is everything neater in my head than in real life?

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

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