real
♦♦♦ real /r'iːl/
1 [ADJ]
Something that is real actually exists and is not imagined, invented, or theoretical.
No, it wasn't a dream. It was real...
Legends grew up around a great many figures, both real and fictitious.
≠ imaginary
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n
If something is real to someone, they experience it as though it really exists or happens, even though it does not.
Whitechild's life becomes increasingly real to the reader.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A material or object that is real is natural or functioning, and not artificial or an imitation.
...the smell of real leather...
Who's to know if they're real guns or not?...
= genuine
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to describe someone or something that has all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has.
...his first real girlfriend...
The only real job I'd ever had was as manager of the local cafe.
= proper
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to describe something that is the true or original thing of its kind, in contrast to one that someone wants you to believe is true.
This was the real reason for her call...
Her real name had been Miriam Pinckus.
= true
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to describe something that is the most important or typical part of a thing.
When he talks, he only gives glimpses of his real self...
The smart executive has people he can trust doing all the real work.
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You can use real when you are talking about a situation or feeling to emphasize that it exists and is important or serious.
Global warming is a real problem...
The prospect of civil war is very real...
There was never any real danger of the children being affected...
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to emphasize a quality that is genuine and sincere.
Germany has shown real determination to come to terms with the anti-Semitism of its past.
9 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real before nouns to emphasize your description of something or someone. (mainly SPOKEN)
`It's a fabulous deal, a real bargain.'
10 [ADJ] ADJ n
The real cost or value of something is its cost or value after other amounts have been added or subtracted and when factors such as the level of inflation have been considered.
...the real cost of borrowing.
= actual, net
[PHRASE] PHR with cl
You can also talk about the cost or value of something in real terms.
In real terms the cost of driving is cheaper than a decade ago...
11 [ADV] ADV adj/adv
You can use real to emphasize an adjective or adverb. (AM INFORMAL)
He is finding prison life `real tough'...
= really
12 [PHRASE] usu PHR after v
If you say that someone does something for real, you mean that they actually do it and do not just pretend to do it.
The sex scenes were just good acting. We didn't do it for real.
13 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you think that someone or something is very surprising, you can ask if they are for real. (AM INFORMAL)
Is this guy for real?
14 [PHRASE]
If you say that a thing or event is the real thing, you mean that it is the thing or event itself, rather than an imitation or copy.
The counterfeits sell for about $20 less than the real thing...real ale (real ales)
[N-MASS]
Real ale is beer which is stored in a barrel and is pumped from it without the use of carbon dioxide. (mainly BRIT)real es|tate
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Real estate is property in the form of land and buildings, rather than personal possessions. (mainly AM)
By investing in real estate, he was one of the richest men in the United States.
= property
2 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Real estate businesses or real estate agents sell houses, buildings, and land. (AM; in BRIT, use estate agency, estate agents)
...the real estate agent who sold you your house.real life
[N-UNCOUNT] usu in N
If something happens in real life, it actually happens and is not just in a story or in someone's imagination.
In real life men like Richard Gere don't marry street girls...
[ADJ] ADJ n
Real life is also an adjective.
...a real-life horror story.real prop|er|ty
[N-UNCOUNT]
Real property is property in the form of land and buildings, rather than personal possessions. (AM)
= real estatereal time
[N-UNCOUNT] oft in N
If something is done in real time, there is no noticeable delay between the action and its effect or consequence.
...umpires, who have to make every decision in real time.real world
[N-SING] the N
If you talk about the real world, you are referring to the world and life in general, in contrast to a particular person's own life, experience, and ideas, which may seem untypical and unrealistic.
When they eventually leave the school they will be totally ill-equipped to deal with the real world...
1 [ADJ]
Something that is real actually exists and is not imagined, invented, or theoretical.
No, it wasn't a dream. It was real...
Legends grew up around a great many figures, both real and fictitious.
≠ imaginary
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n
If something is real to someone, they experience it as though it really exists or happens, even though it does not.
Whitechild's life becomes increasingly real to the reader.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A material or object that is real is natural or functioning, and not artificial or an imitation.
...the smell of real leather...
Who's to know if they're real guns or not?...
= genuine
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to describe someone or something that has all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has.
...his first real girlfriend...
The only real job I'd ever had was as manager of the local cafe.
= proper
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to describe something that is the true or original thing of its kind, in contrast to one that someone wants you to believe is true.
This was the real reason for her call...
Her real name had been Miriam Pinckus.
= true
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to describe something that is the most important or typical part of a thing.
When he talks, he only gives glimpses of his real self...
The smart executive has people he can trust doing all the real work.
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You can use real when you are talking about a situation or feeling to emphasize that it exists and is important or serious.
Global warming is a real problem...
The prospect of civil war is very real...
There was never any real danger of the children being affected...
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real to emphasize a quality that is genuine and sincere.
Germany has shown real determination to come to terms with the anti-Semitism of its past.
9 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use real before nouns to emphasize your description of something or someone. (mainly SPOKEN)
`It's a fabulous deal, a real bargain.'
10 [ADJ] ADJ n
The real cost or value of something is its cost or value after other amounts have been added or subtracted and when factors such as the level of inflation have been considered.
...the real cost of borrowing.
= actual, net
[PHRASE] PHR with cl
You can also talk about the cost or value of something in real terms.
In real terms the cost of driving is cheaper than a decade ago...
11 [ADV] ADV adj/adv
You can use real to emphasize an adjective or adverb. (AM INFORMAL)
He is finding prison life `real tough'...
= really
12 [PHRASE] usu PHR after v
If you say that someone does something for real, you mean that they actually do it and do not just pretend to do it.
The sex scenes were just good acting. We didn't do it for real.
13 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you think that someone or something is very surprising, you can ask if they are for real. (AM INFORMAL)
Is this guy for real?
14 [PHRASE]
If you say that a thing or event is the real thing, you mean that it is the thing or event itself, rather than an imitation or copy.
The counterfeits sell for about $20 less than the real thing...real ale (real ales)
[N-MASS]
Real ale is beer which is stored in a barrel and is pumped from it without the use of carbon dioxide. (mainly BRIT)real es|tate
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Real estate is property in the form of land and buildings, rather than personal possessions. (mainly AM)
By investing in real estate, he was one of the richest men in the United States.
= property
2 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Real estate businesses or real estate agents sell houses, buildings, and land. (AM; in BRIT, use estate agency, estate agents)
...the real estate agent who sold you your house.real life
[N-UNCOUNT] usu in N
If something happens in real life, it actually happens and is not just in a story or in someone's imagination.
In real life men like Richard Gere don't marry street girls...
[ADJ] ADJ n
Real life is also an adjective.
...a real-life horror story.real prop|er|ty
[N-UNCOUNT]
Real property is property in the form of land and buildings, rather than personal possessions. (AM)
= real estatereal time
[N-UNCOUNT] oft in N
If something is done in real time, there is no noticeable delay between the action and its effect or consequence.
...umpires, who have to make every decision in real time.real world
[N-SING] the N
If you talk about the real world, you are referring to the world and life in general, in contrast to a particular person's own life, experience, and ideas, which may seem untypical and unrealistic.
When they eventually leave the school they will be totally ill-equipped to deal with the real world...