real-life

[ ree-uhl-lahyf, reel- ]

/ ˈri əlˌlaɪf, ˈril- /

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See synonyms for real-life on Thesaurus.com

adjective

existing or happening in reality: real-life drama.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of real-life

First recorded in 1830–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use real-life in a sentence

The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed BritainBy Tim Teeman Lady Grantham of ‘Downton Abbey’ is far from an anomaly.
Six Must-Read Stories About Gay Mormon Husbands and Iranian Drug Wars|The Daily Beast|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And yet as Robert Ward discovered, Marvin—for all of his larger-than-life machismo—was surprising in real life.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Just as in real life, you can come to live with grief, so Amelia and Sam do at the end of the film.
Grief: The Real Monster in The Babadook|Tim Teeman|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Does each character have one in real life that inspired it, or are they from your imagination?
The Zany Shades of Nick Kroll|Abby Haglage|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Much like the TV show Breaking Bad, the Mexican Mafia are real life methamphetamine kingpins.
The Mexican Mafia Is the Daddy of All Street Gangs|Seth Ferranti|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ah, how many hearts would rejoice if it were as easy to return on the track of Time in real life as it is to do so in a tale!
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Valmond stood watching intently, and the people were very still, for this seemed like real life, and no burlesque.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete|Gilbert Parker
They were both taken up, and then taken down, and recovered according to the usual custom in romances and real life.
Newton Forster|Captain Frederick Marryat
"The beautiful shines through the dreariness, as it does in the real life people live," he objected, stubbornly.
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
The Doctor thought this a capital idea for a vaudeville, but poor enough in real life, and doubted my success.
Z. Marcas|Honore de Balzac

British Dictionary definitions for real-life

real life

noun

actual human life, as lived by real people, esp contrasted with the lives of fictional or fantasy charactersmiracles don't happen in real life
(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

real-life

Origin of real-life

Words related to real-life

How to use real-life in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for real-life