unreal

[ uhn-ree-uhl, -reel ]

adjective

1. not real reis or actual.
2. imaginary; fanciful; illusory; delusory; fantastic.
3. lacking in truth; not genuine; false; artificial:

   unreal propaganda serving as news.

unreal

/ ʌnˈrɪəl /

adjective

1. imaginary or fanciful or seemingly so

   an unreal situation

2. having no actual existence or substance
3. insincere or artificial

Derived Forms

• unˈreally, adverb

Other Words From

• un·real·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unreal¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- ¹ + real ¹

Example Sentences

By contrast, to idealists, such as the so-called color fictionalists, everything is unreal — including color.

From Salon

It was a reality check on another unreal playoff game, one in which the Dodgers seemed to take full control of the Series and the last few days of their season.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1988, the Dodgers were so energized by their hobbled hero that they played the rest of the series in his honor, forever inspired by Gibson’s unreal act of toughness.

From Los Angeles Times

When he received the call from Edison, Hong said, it felt unreal, and although he feels jubilant from the news, he does feel guilty about neighbors who aren’t getting power back.

From Los Angeles Times

Valenzuela’s death felt so unreal to Carlos Flores, 43, that he initially believed it was a hoax when he first heard the news.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dreamlike
• false
• fanciful
• hallucinatory
• illusory
• immaterial
• unbelievable