reality

[ ree-al-i-tee ]

/ riˈæl ɪ ti /

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See synonyms for: reality / realities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural re·al·i·ties for 3, 5-7.

the state or quality of being real.

resemblance to what is real.

a real thing or fact.

real things, facts, or events taken as a whole; state of affairs: the reality of the business world; vacationing to escape reality.

Philosophy.

something that exists independently of ideas concerning it.
something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive.

something that is real.

something that constitutes a real or actual thing, as distinguished from something that is merely apparent.

adjective

noting or pertaining to a TV program or film that portrays nonactors interacting or competing with each other in real but contrived situations, allegedly without a script: a popular reality show; reality TV.

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Idioms about reality

in reality, in fact or truth; actually: brave in appearance, but in reality a coward.

Origin of reality

From the Medieval Latin word reālitās, dating back to 1540–50. See real¹, -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM reality

an·ti·re·al·i·ty, adjectivenon·re·al·i·ty, noun, plural non·re·al·i·ties.pro·re·al·i·ty, noun

Words nearby reality

realignment, real income, realism, realist, realistic, reality, reality awareness, reality-based, reality check, reality fiction, reality principle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use reality in a sentence

Second, the recent surge looks relatively large compared to the spring spike — but in reality, it’s probably smaller.
The new Covid-19 case surge in Europe, explained|Julia Belluz|September 17, 2020|Vox
In the 1940s, trailblazing physicists stumbled upon the next layer of reality.
How Mathematical ‘Hocus-Pocus’ Saved Particle Physics|Charlie Wood|September 17, 2020|Quanta Magazine
It’s still a ways off, but if companies like Wildtype can make their vision a reality, people, animals, and the planet will all be better off for it.
This Startup Is Growing Sushi-Grade Salmon From Cells in a Lab|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|September 16, 2020|Singularity Hub
The reality, though, can flower into all kinds of weirdness.
Making Poly Less of a Pain in the Ass|Eugene Robinson|September 14, 2020|Ozy

In many ways, it feels like Americans increasingly live in two different realities.
Political rhetoric may impact your hurricane preparedness|Ula Chrobak|September 11, 2020|Popular-Science
But if Democrats are faced with the reality of a glut of qualified candidates, Republicans are assembling more of a fantasy team.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
That is a reality that still eats at Grace Castro and Yvonne Lozoya.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro|Bill Conroy|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His hero, Bruce Springsteen, is a gazillionaire, but he still manages to come across as a regular guy, so perception is reality.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He was a dreamer, an idealist, grounded in the reality he observed around him.
Mario Cuomo, Always Moving Us Toward the Light|Mike Barnicle|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I mean, the reality of it was, I had to go out and get on a horse, and ride in, shoot the gun — how hard was that, right?
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The intensity of his sensations seemed inexplicable, unless some reality, some truth, lay behind them.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
With less intelligent children traces of this tendency to take pictorial representation for reality may appear as late as four.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Thus they become accustomed to act as christians, to become so in reality in his time.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Isaacson thought what the world would say, and suddenly he knew the reality of his affection for Nigel.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
In reality he was annoyed at having old Monsieur Farival, who considered himself the better sailor of the two.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

British Dictionary definitions for reality

reality

/ (rɪˈælɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be

something that is real

the state of being real

philosophy

that which exists, independent of human awareness
the totality of facts as they are independent of human awareness of themSee also conceptualism Compare appearance (def. 6)

in reality actually; in fact

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for reality

reality

[ rē-ăl′ĭ-tē ]

The quality or state of being actual or true.

The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.

That which exists objectively and in fact.

reality

Idioms about reality

Origin of reality

OTHER WORDS FROM reality

Words nearby reality

Words related to reality

How to use reality in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reality

Medical definitions for reality