realistic
Americanadjective
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interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical.
a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.
- Synonyms:
- sensible, hardheaded, common-sense, pragmatic
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pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or art of things as they really are.
a realistic novel.
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resembling or simulating real life.
a duck hunter skilled at making realistic decoys.
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Philosophy. of or relating to realists or realism.
adjective
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showing awareness and acceptance of reality
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practical or pragmatic rather than ideal or moral
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(of a book, film, etc) depicting or emphasizing what is real and actual rather than abstract or ideal
-
of or relating to philosophical realism
Other Word Forms
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antirealisticadjective
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antirealisticallyadverb
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hyperrealisticadjective
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nonrealisticadjective
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nonrealisticallyadverb
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overrealisticadjective
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overrealisticallyadverb
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prorealisticadjective
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pseudorealisticadjective
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quasi-realisticadjective
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quasi-realisticallyadverb
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realisticallyadverb
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semirealisticadjective
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semirealisticallyadverb
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ultrarealisticadjective
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unrealisticadjective
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unrealisticallyadverb
Etymology
Origin of realistic
Explanation
If your friend says she is going to fly on wings made of wax, you might tell her to "be realistic!" What you mean is, "In the real world, that is not going to happen." While you might really want to go to an Ivy League college, it's probably more realistic to apply to state schools if your grades aren't that good. A movie can be called realistic if it seems to represent life as it is. Do you ever wonder if reality TV is more realistic than scripted television? The jury is still out on that, but most people agree that if you're being realistic, what matters most about a TV show are its ratings.
Vocabulary lists containing realistic
List 3
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 6
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Common Core Grade 6, List 2
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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.
But a major Spanish clinical trial suggests it may work even better against type 2 diabetes when paired with three realistic upgrades: eating fewer calories, moving more, and getting professional support for weight loss.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
Stylized films sometimes can contain more truth than realistic forms.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
More realistic estimates put the crowd size between 63,000 and 90,000 attendees, and, if one is being generous, 20 million viewers.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
There is a realistic chance Chelsea will miss out on Uefa competition altogether.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
Hours pass, and lunch comes and goes, as they try to come up with a realistic plan for taking the Nut.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
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.
