surreal

[suh-ree-uhl, -reel]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of surrealism, an artistic and literary style; surrealistic.

2. having the disorienting, hallucinatory quality of a dream; unreal; fantastic.

   surreal complexities of the bureaucracy.

Other Word Forms

• surreally adverb
• surreality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of surreal¹

First recorded in 1935–40; back formation from surrealism ( def. ); sur- ¹ ( def. ), real ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

"I was pointing at myself and I couldn't believe it when she picked me, it was so surreal."

Read more on BBC

"We celebrated birthdays together. It's just surreal, because she's gone and her babies are hurting."

Read more on BBC

“Heaven” is an experimental film that’s heavy on dramatic shadows and surreal old movie footage, the sort of thing that would play best on an art gallery wall.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Here, though, it’s justified because what befalls Ron could happen to anyone, and rooting surreal situations in relatability sparks Robinson’s comedy.

Read more on Salon

There was a surreal air to it all.

Read more on BBC