realty
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of realty
First recorded in 1400–50, realty is from the late Middle English word realte. See real 1, -ty 2
Compare meaning
How does realty compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The noun realty is another way to talk about real estate or property. If you want to sell or buy a house, it's a good idea to hire a realty agent to help you do it. Buildings, houses, and condominiums are all realty; they're not just places to live, work, or store things, but they're property that belongs to someone. The word realty was first used in the 17th century, from real. Earlier, the term "real property" was a legal term meaning "immovable property," or permanent structures and land that could be bought and sold.
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.
According to his financial disclosures, which he is required to file as president, Trump’s realty firm brought in $2.4 million in revenue last year.
From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2025
Mr. Moss and Mr. Litinsky were contestants on Mr. Trump’s realty television show, “The Apprentice,” and went to him in January 2021 with the idea of creating a social media company.
From New York Times ● Mar. 1, 2024
Scott, a Columbia Democrat, operated a realty company and had been in the Legislature for more than 30 years, serving most recently on the Senate’s judiciary, medical affairs and penology committees.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 13, 2023
The project highlights the ties among the main actors: the governor, the realty developer Mitsui Fudosan, and Meiji Jingu, a religious organization that owns much of the land to be redeveloped.
From Washington Times ● May 17, 2023
"That's realty dirty. If you're taken short you go right along the beach to the rocks. See?"
From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
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.
