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.

"You could argue that's the same in real life, but if you meet someone on a date, you can leave if you need," she says.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

You’ve bought clothes from boosters in real life.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

He was like a kid experiencing something from a movie in real life, and seeing the city through his eyes gave it a new sense of wonder.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

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

It was like seeing someone in real life who you only knew from a dream.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

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