Synonyms

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.

After last week’s premiere of Netflix’s “Run Away,” his latest project is an unscripted show that the author hosts, guiding viewers through real-life crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal

It sounds like something from the distant future, but nanotechnology - engineering at a scale of millionths of a millimetre - is already used in lots of everyday real-life tech.

From BBC

With “The Award,” Mr. Pearl swaps the 19th century for the 21st and real-life writers for fictitious and ruthlessly ambitious literary figures.

From The Wall Street Journal

The first two seasons were gripping thrill rides, but it’ll be interesting to see how the new season feels in light of the grim real-life events that have reshaped both Israel and Iran in the three years since it last aired.

From MarketWatch

The on-screen rival of Chalamet’s character, Marty Mauser, is Koto Endo, portrayed by real-life Japanese table tennis champion Koto Kawaguchi.

From Los Angeles Times

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