reality

[ ree-al-i-tee ]

noun

, plural re·al·i·ties

1. the state or quality of being real.
2. resemblance to what is real.
3. a real thing or fact.
4. real things, facts, or events taken as a whole; state of affairs:

   the reality of the business world; vacationing to escape reality.

5. Philosophy.
   1. something that exists independently of ideas concerning it.
   2. something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive.
6. something that is real.
7. something that constitutes a real or actual thing, as distinguished from something that is merely apparent.

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a TV program or film that portrays nonactors interacting or competing with each other in real but contrived situations, allegedly without a script:

   a popular reality show; reality TV.

reality

/ rɪˈælɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be
2. something that is real
3. the state of being real
4. philosophy
   1. that which exists, independent of human awareness
   2. the totality of facts as they are independent of human awareness of them See also conceptualism Compare appearance
5. in reality
   actually; in fact

Other Words From

• anti·re·ali·ty adjective
• nonre·ali·ty noun plural nonrealities
• prore·ali·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reality¹

From the Medieval Latin word reālitās, dating back to 1540–50. See real ¹, -ity

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in reality, in fact or truth; actually:

   brave in appearance, but in reality a coward.

Example Sentences

The great replacement theory is a statistical fact, being cemented into reality.

From Salon

“On one hand you have a prison service that’s meant to be rule-abiding and strict and uphold British values, and in reality you have corrupt officers.”

From BBC

What really tugged at Schur is a reality that often sets in without notice: How our lives have gotten smaller in the modern age.

From Los Angeles Times

On Friday, that dream will become a reality, in Netflix’s first live-streamed, professionally sanctioned boxing match.

From Los Angeles Times

This chilling response underscores an uncomfortable reality: Immigrants do not live in isolation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• existence
• matter
• phenomenon
• real world
• realism
• sensibility
• truth