n.
Pronunciation: ' r ē (- ə )l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, real, relating to things (in law), from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin & Late Latin; Medieval Latin realis relating to things (in law), from Late Latin, real, from Latin res thing, fact; akin to Sanskrit rayi property
Date: 14th century
1 : of or relating to fixed, permanent, or immovable things (as lands or tenements)
2 a : not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory : GENUINE < real gold> also : being precisely what the name implies <a real professional> b (1) : occurring or existing in actuality <saw a real live celebrity> <a story of real life> (2) : of or relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities <left school to live in the real world> (3) : existing as a physical entity and having properties that deviate from an ideal, law, or standard <a real gas> ― compare IDEAL 3b c : having objective independent existence <unable to believe that what he saw was real > d : FUNDAMENTAL , ESSENTIAL e (1) : belonging to or having elements or components that belong to the set of real numbers <the real roots of an equation> <a real matrix> (2) : concerned with or containing real numbers < real analysis> (3) : REAL-VALUED < real variable> f : measured by purchasing power < real income> < real dollars> g : COMPLETE , UTTER <a real fiasco>
3 of a particle : capable of being detected ― compare VIRTUAL 3
– re · al · ness noun
– for real
1 : in earnest : SERIOUSLY <fighting for real >
2 : GENUINE <couldn't believe the threats were for real >
3 : genuinely good or capable of success (as in competition) <not yet sure if this team is for real >