real

1
[ ree-uh l, reel ]
/ ˈri əl, ril /

adjective

adverb

Informal. very or extremely: You did a real nice job painting the house.

noun

the real,
  1. something that actually exists, as a particular quantity.
  2. reality in general.

Idioms for real

    for real, Informal.
    1. in reality; actually: You mean she dyed her hair green for real?
    2. real; actual: The company's plans to relocate are for real.
    3. genuine; sincere: I don't believe his friendly attitude is for real.

Origin of real

1
1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin reālis, equivalent to Latin re-, variant stem of rēs thing + -ālis -al1

synonym study for real

1–5. Real, actual, true in general use describe objects, persons, experiences, etc., that are what they are said or purport to be. That which is described as real is genuine as opposed to counterfeit, false, or merely supposed: a real emerald; real leather binding; My real ambition is to be a dentist. Actual usually stresses contrast with another state of affairs that has been proposed or suggested: The actual cost is much less; to conceal one's actual motive. True implies a perfect correspondence with actuality and is in direct contrast to that which is false or inaccurate: a true account of the events; not bravado but true courage. See also authentic.

usage note for real

The intensifying adverb real, meaning “very,” is informal and limited to speech or to written representations of speech: He drives a real beat-up old car. The adjective real meaning “true, actual, genuine, etc.,” is standard in all types of speech and writing: Their real reasons for objecting became clear in the discussion. The informal adjective sense “absolute, complete” is also limited to speech or representations of speech: These interruptions are a real bother.

OTHER WORDS FROM real

re·al·ness, noun

Definition for real (2 of 4)

real 2
[ rey-ahl; Spanish re-ahl ]
/ reɪˈɑl; Spanish rɛˈɑl /

noun, plural re·als [rey-ahlz] /reɪˈɑlz/, Spanish re·a·les [re-ah-les] /rɛˈɑ lɛs/.

a former silver coin of Spain and Spanish America, the eighth part of a peso.

Origin of real

2
1605–15; < Spanish: royal < Latin rēgālis regal1

Definition for real (3 of 4)

real 3
[ rey-ahl; Portuguese re-ahl ]
/ reɪˈɑl; Portuguese rɛˈɑl /

noun

singular of reis.

Definition for real (4 of 4)

reis
[ reys; Portuguese reys ]
/ reɪs; Portuguese reɪs /

plural noun, singular re·al [rey-ahl; Portuguese re-ahl] /reɪˈɑl; Portuguese rɛˈɑl/.

a former money of account of Portugal and Brazil.
Compare milreis.

Origin of reis

1545–55; < Portuguese, plural of real real2

Example sentences from the Web for real

British Dictionary definitions for real (1 of 3)

real 1
/ (ˈrɪəl) /

adjective

noun

Derived forms of real

realness, noun

Word Origin for real

C15: from Old French réel, from Late Latin reālis, from Latin rēs thing

British Dictionary definitions for real (2 of 3)

real 2
/ (reɪˈɑːl, Spanish reˈal) /

noun plural reals or reales (Spanish reˈales)

a former small Spanish or Spanish-American silver coin

Word Origin for real

C17: from Spanish, literally: royal, from Latin rēgālis; see regal 1

British Dictionary definitions for real (3 of 3)

real 3
/ (Portuguese reˈal) /

noun plural reis (rəjʃ)

the standard monetary unit of Brazil, divided into 100 centavos
a former coin of Portugal

Word Origin for real

ultimately from Latin rēgālis regal 1

Idioms and Phrases with real

real