definitions

realistic

[ ree-uh-lis-tik ]
/ ˌri əˈlɪs tɪk /
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SEE MORE 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.

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

realia, realign, realignment, realism, realist, realistic, reality, reality awareness, reality check, reality fiction, reality principle

Origin of realistic

First recorded in 1855–60; realist + -ic

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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

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