realistic

[ ree-uh-lis-tik ]

adjective

1. interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical:

   a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.

   Synonyms: common-sense, sensible, hardheaded, pragmatic

2. pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or art of things as they really are:

   a realistic novel.

3. resembling or simulating real life:

   a duck hunter skilled at making realistic decoys.

4. Philosophy. of or relating to realists or realism.

realistic

/ ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk /

adjective

1. showing awareness and acceptance of reality
2. practical or pragmatic rather than ideal or moral
3. (of a book, film, etc) depicting or emphasizing what is real and actual rather than abstract or ideal
4. of or relating to philosophical realism

Derived Forms

• ˌrealˈistically, adverb

Other Words From

• real·isti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·real·istic adjective
• anti·real·isti·cal·ly adverb
• hyper·real·istic adjective
• nonre·al·istic adjective
• nonre·al·isti·cal·ly adverb
• over·real·istic adjective
• over·real·isti·cal·ly adverb
• prore·al·istic adjective
• pseudo·real·istic adjective
• quasi-real·istic adjective
• quasi-real·isti·cal·ly adverb
• semi·real·istic adjective
• semi·real·isti·cal·ly adverb
• ultra·real·istic adjective
• unre·al·istic adjective
• unre·al·isti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of realistic¹

First recorded in 1855–60; realist + -ic

Example Sentences

He added: “It may drive up our crime numbers, but it gives us a more realistic picture of what we’re dealing with.”

From Los Angeles Times

For “Twisters,” that was the special effects that made the tornadoes look realistic.

From Los Angeles Times

In an interview on the prize website, she described “Orbital” as a space pastoral and said she wanted to write a realistic, rather than fantastic, version of humans in low Earth orbit.

From Los Angeles Times

The hospital set is so realistic that it makes me want to not touch anything.

From Los Angeles Times

They are trying to walk a fine line between being realistic about possible federal actions and not adding to people’s fears.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• businesslike
• down-to-earth
• practical
• pragmatic
• prudent
• rational
• real
• reasonable
• sane
• sensible
• sober