real

/ɹiːl/

Looking for the meaning of real? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.

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noun
01

A commodity; see realty.

02

(grammar) One of the three genders that the common gender can be separated into in the Scandinavian languages.

03

A real number.

04

A realist.

adjective
01

True, genuine, not merely nominal or apparent.

02

Genuine, not artificial, counterfeit, or fake.

This is real leather.

03

Genuine, unfeigned, sincere.

These are real tears!

04

Actually being, existing, or occurring; not fictitious or imaginary.

a description of real life

05

That has objective, physical existence.

No one has ever seen a real unicorn.

06

Having been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation; measured in purchasing power (contrast nominal).

My dad calculated my family's real consumption per month.

07

Relating to the result of the actions of rational agents; relating to neoclassical economic models as opposed to Keynesian models.

08

(of a number) Being either a rational number, or the limit of a convergent infinite sequence of rational numbers: being one of a set of numbers with a one-to-one correspondence to the points on a line.

09

Relating to immovable tangible property.

real estate;  real property

010

Absolute, complete, utter.

This is a real problem.

011

Signifying meritorious qualities or actions especially as regard the enjoyment of life, prowess at sports, or success wooing potential partners.

I'm keeping it real.

SYNONYMS:actualauthenticgenuineactualauthentic
adverb
01

Really, very.

When I told him the truth, he got real mad.

Understanding "real"

The word **"real"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ɹiːl/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"real"** in our dictionary below.

The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "real" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "real" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.

For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "real" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ɹiːl/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "real" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.

When deciding how to use "real" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "real" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.

Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "real". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ɹiːl/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "real" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.

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How do I use real in a sentence?

Refer to the usage examples above to see how "real" can be used in academic and casual conversations.