DictionaryAI

reality

noun
ree-AL-uh-tee/ɹiˈæləti/UKree-AL-i-tee/ɹiːˈælɪti/

Pluralrealities (some meanings)

7 meanings of reality

Practice

  1. 1
    true situationnoununcountable
    The way things really are, not how you imagine or want them to be.

    Like waking up from a dream and seeing the real room around you.

    After the daydream faded, she came back to reality.

    Video games are fun, but they are not the same as reality.

    UsageOften in reality, meaning "really" or "actually": it looked easy, but in reality it was hard.

    Similartruth

    Note
  2. 2
    unscripted TVnoununcountablebefore a noun
    A type of TV show that films real people instead of actors.

    These days, reality fills most of the evening TV schedule.

    He got his start on a reality show before becoming an actor.

    UsageUsually before another word: reality TV, a reality show.

  3. 3
    noununcountable
    The quality of being real and not imagined or fake.

    Some people still doubt the reality of ghosts.

    Nobody questions the reality of the danger they faced.

    UsageOften the reality of something: the reality of the danger.

    Similaractuality, existence

    Oppositeillusion, fantasy

  4. 4
    nouncountable
    A fact, thing, or event that really exists or really happens.

    Losing his job was a hard reality he had to face.

    For many families, hunger is a daily reality.

    UsageYou can say a reality and realities: a hard reality, the realities of farm life.

    Similarfact

    Note
  5. 5
    personal viewnouncountable
    The way one person sees and understands what is real to them.

    Like how the same song can make one person happy and another sad: each person feels it in their own way.

    Each child built their own reality out of games and stories.

    What feels true in your reality may seem strange to someone else.

    Similarperception, perspective, worldview

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    nounobsoleteuncountable
    Land and the buildings on it, owned as property.
    Note
  2. 7
    nounobsoleteuncountable
    Faithful loyalty and devotion to someone or something.
    To express our reality to the emperor.
    1642, Thomas Fuller, The Holy StateHere, reality means loyalty or faithful devotion.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of reality apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From French réalité, meaning the quality of being real. It comes from Latin roots for "real."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts