Synonyms

real world

American

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

noun

the realm of practical or actual experience, as opposed to the abstract, theoretical, or idealized sphere of the classroom, laboratory, etc..

recent college graduates looking for jobs in the real world of rising unemployment.

Other Word Forms

real-world adjective

Etymology

Origin of real world

First recorded in 1960–65

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.

Out there in the real world there was a fear that the toxic atmosphere would continue.

From BBC

These observations add real world relevance to the molecular mechanism identified in the study.

From Science Daily

"This case underlines the real world consequences of online radicalisation and the importance of early intervention," she said.

From BBC

Claude did write two working exploits that worked on a test version of the browser, but they would have been stopped in the real world by Firefox’s other security mechanisms, Graham said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet real world adoption has lagged, largely because the hardware required to power these displays has been bulky and impractical.

From Science Daily

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