existing in fact and not imagined, invented, or only in someone’s mind
After weeks at sea, spotting real land filled the sailors with hope.
The movie is based on a real story that happened in 1960.
✦ From Latin rēālis “relating to things”
genuine; not artificial, fake, or copied
These shoes are made of real leather, so they will last longer.
Is that diamond real or is it glass?
very; really (used before adjectives and adverbs in informal speech)
I'm real tired after that hike.
The soup smells real good.
serious, important, or great in degree
We need a real plan before the deadline tomorrow.
The storm caused real damage to the village.
a number that can be shown on a number line, including whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, but not imaginary numbers
Zero is a real that is neither positive nor negative.
In algebra you first learn to plot reals on a number line.
used before an adjective or another adverb to add emphasis, meaning very or extremely
The soup is really hot, so be careful.
He ran really quickly and won the race.
✦ From real + -ly, first recorded in Middle English.
used on its own to express surprise, doubt, or interest, or to ask for confirmation
“I’m moving to Japan next month.” “Really? That’s amazing!”
He said the test was cancelled. Really!
✦ Same origin as adverb senses, later used alone as an exclamation.
to obtain money from something, especially by selling it, or to make a profit
The company realized $2 million from the sale of its old factory.
Investors realized a substantial profit when the startup was bought by a larger firm.
✦ Financial use developed in the 19th century from the idea of “making something real or actual” in monetary terms.
looking, sounding, or feeling very close to real life
The video game’s graphics are so realistic that it feels like you’re really in the jungle.
The artist painted a realistic portrait of the old woman.
✦ Same origin as sense 1, but applied to art and representation from the late 19th century onward.
