real talk

American  

[ree-uhl tawk, reel tawk] / ˈri əl ˌtɔk, ˈril ˌtɔk /

adverb

1. Informal. while getting down to honest, serious discussion; frankly; seriously (used to introduce a statement or question).

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noun

1. Informal. honest, serious discussion or conversation as opposed to light or superficial chatting.

Other Word Forms

• real-talking
  adjective

Example Sentences

Of course, the barbershop, where ball talk is real talk, and where the expectations around the Dodgers upcoming quest for a three-peat recently smothered me like a hot towel to the head.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

Berlin at war, how the brain makes time, Judy Blume’s real talk for young readers and more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The 32-year-old had been absent for nine matches with a thigh injury and there had been no real talk of a return.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Clinton Kelly and Stacy London return as its hosts, older, wiser and atoning for the tough love and scathing real talk they once doled out to style-challenged guests.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2026

“But for real, talk to me, Bri. How are you feeling?”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas