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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hyperrealisticadjective
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nonrealisticadjective
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overrealisticadjective
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prorealisticadjective
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pseudorealisticadjective
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quasi-realisticadjective
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semirealisticadjective
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ultrarealisticadjective
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unrealisticadjective
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antirealisticallyadverb
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nonrealisticallyadverb
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overrealisticallyadverb
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quasi-realisticallyadverb
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realisticallyadverb
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semirealisticallyadverb
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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.
The observations could only be matched by atmospheric conditions that did not seem physically realistic.
From Science Daily • Jun. 28, 2026
Maybe he’ll get more screen time when the digital animators figure out how to make him look more realistic.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026
A behind-the-scenes teaser trailer boasts of expending 25 tons of propane to create a realistic approximation of dragon fire and setting a new world record for setting stunt performers on fire in a single take.
From Salon • Jun. 24, 2026
"The good news is that a walk break every hour for five minutes is enough to improve mood and lower fatigue. And people found this realistic and attainable," Diaz said.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026
Meanwhile, if shortsighted, they were at least realistic.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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.
