realistic

[ ree-uh-lis-tik ]
/ ˌri əˈlɪs tɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR realistic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical: a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.
pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or art of things as they really are: a realistic novel.
resembling or simulating real life: a duck hunter skilled at making realistic decoys.
Philosophy. of or relating to realists or realism.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of realistic

First recorded in 1855–60; realist + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM realistic

Words nearby realistic

realia, realign, realignment, realism, realist, realistic, reality, reality awareness, reality check, reality fiction, reality principle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to unrealistic

impractical, unworkable, improbable, unreal, silly, quixotic, impossible, floating, gone, half-baked, impracticable, nonsensical, romantic, starry-eyed, theoretical, nonrealistic

Example sentences from the Web for unrealistic

British Dictionary definitions for unrealistic (1 of 2)

unrealistic
/ (ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk) /

adjective

not realisticunrealistic expectations

British Dictionary definitions for unrealistic (2 of 2)

realistic
/ (ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk) /

adjective

showing awareness and acceptance of reality
practical or pragmatic rather than ideal or moral
(of a book, film, etc) depicting or emphasizing what is real and actual rather than abstract or ideal
of or relating to philosophical realism

Derived forms of realistic

realistically, adverb
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