real-life
adjective
existing or happening in reality.
real-life
American
[ree-uhl-lahyf, reel-]
/ ˈri əlˌlaɪf, ˈril- /
adjective
real life
British
noun
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.
See Examples For:
The real-life story of two British athletes, from disparate backgrounds, competing for gold in the sprint events at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026
"This is an easily defanged myth that has generated dread, panic, and real-life consequences," said William Hayes, professor of biology at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and the study's lead researcher.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
That’s why he chose an illustration for the cover of his 2024 debut album “Incómodo,” rather than a real-life image of himself; the LP title directly translates to “discomfort.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Hence, this gem of an anthology series, wherein real-life residents recount the stories that made them regionally famous or nationally infamous, while familiar actors and comedians recreate their stories.
From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2026
"We're going to solve a real-life mystery, you guys!"
From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene
Meta’s technology chief, Andrew Bosworth, said on a recent podcast that a user would say “remember this person” about someone they met in real life.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
“It makes it seem like the online world is more blown out of proportion than what real life is.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
To better reflect real life, the researchers examined the effects of chronic, mild sleep loss, a pattern experienced by roughly 30% of adults.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 13, 2026
The film’s version of LA is as ridiculous as the city is in real life, which makes it all the more enjoyable to see gullible Gail navigate her way through every situation.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2026
I wish all the beans and rice Mama’s been making would give me some type of superpower in real life.
From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
