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.

Of course, Connecticut’s program — like any real-life effort — is not perfect.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

As a pioneer and legend of the real-life import car scene, my mechanic wasn’t the villain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

Zingman recognises the event's inherent contradictions, as it tries to build an audience - and turn a profit - from real-life tragedies.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

Inside detail: Woody, who is feeling a bit useless himself, was a vessel for some of the real-life emotions for Stanton, whose son had recently gone off to college at the time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

Like a real-life version of Faulkner’s Thomas Sutpen, he seemed to have come out of nowhere—a man with no known past.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

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