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

None of this reality dissuaded the authors of Project 2025 from resurrecting work requirements for Medicaid.

From Los Angeles Times

“That’s one of my main goals as an actor, to bring light to people’s life, enjoyment and entertainment, a departure, an escape from the mundane realities of day-to-day life.”

From Los Angeles Times

“But in this case, we added a bit more dimension, so it became different from reality. I think Ms. Kuno was able to capture the performance of the characters in the animation form.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some might welcome the film’s nuanced look at the responsibilities of the media, while others may find it difficult to separate its historical focus from the emotionally charged realities of the current moment.

From Los Angeles Times

What actually happens depends on which ideas become reality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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