1re·al 
/ˈri:jəl/ adjective
/ˈri:jəl/ adjective 1 : actually existing or happening : not imaginary
▪ The movie is based on real events. ▪ The detective Sherlock Holmes is not a real person. ▪ He has no real power; he is just a figurehead. ▪ The battle scenes in the movie seemed very real to me. ▪ The team has a real chance at winning. ▪ There is a very real possibility that we will be moving to Maine. ▪ In real life, relationships are not perfect. ▪ The actor looks taller on TV than he does in real life. ▪ I finally got to talk to a real live person [=an actual person] instead of a machine. ▪ He's always daydreaming and seems to be out of touch with the real world. ▪ Their son finally went out into the real world [=the world where people have to work, deal with daily problems, etc.] and got a job. 2 : not fake, false, or artificial
▪ real [=genuine] leather ▪ a real diamond ▪ Your real friends [=the people who are truly your friends] would be here to help you. ▪ What is his real name? ▪ Tell me the real reason you need the money. 3 : important and deserving to be regarded or treated in a serious way
▪ This is a very real problem/danger/concern. ▪ They have avoided talking about the real issues. ▪ There is no real reason to worry. 4 always used before a noun — used for emphasis ▪ There's a real surprise at the end of the movie. ▪ Receiving this award is a real thrill. ▪ He's being a real jerk. 5 : strong and sincere
▪ I have no real interest in sports. [=I'm not very interested in sports] ▪ He made a real effort to improve his grades. ▪ There was a look of real [=genuine] astonishment on her face. ▪ She showed real delight/happiness when I told her the good news. 6 always used before a noun, finance : measured by what money can actually buy at a particular time
▪ a real increase in wages as compared to inflation ▪ Charitable donations declined in real dollars last year.
▪ The movie is based on real events. ▪ The detective Sherlock Holmes is not a real person. ▪ He has no real power; he is just a figurehead. ▪ The battle scenes in the movie seemed very real to me. ▪ The team has a real chance at winning. ▪ There is a very real possibility that we will be moving to Maine. ▪ In real life, relationships are not perfect. ▪ The actor looks taller on TV than he does in real life. ▪ I finally got to talk to a real live person [=an actual person] instead of a machine. ▪ He's always daydreaming and seems to be out of touch with the real world. ▪ Their son finally went out into the real world [=the world where people have to work, deal with daily problems, etc.] and got a job.
▪ real [=genuine] leather ▪ a real diamond ▪ Your real friends [=the people who are truly your friends] would be here to help you. ▪ What is his real name? ▪ Tell me the real reason you need the money.
▪ This is a very real problem/danger/concern. ▪ They have avoided talking about the real issues. ▪ There is no real reason to worry.
▪ I have no real interest in sports. [=I'm not very interested in sports] ▪ He made a real effort to improve his grades. ▪ There was a look of real [=genuine] astonishment on her face. ▪ She showed real delight/happiness when I told her the good news.
▪ a real increase in wages as compared to inflation ▪ Charitable donations declined in real dollars last year.
for real
informal 1 : true and genuine
▪ The information is for real. 2 US a : honest and serious
▪ He convinced us that he was for real and really wanted to help. ▪ Is that guy for real?
b : genuinely good, skillful, etc.
▪ The team has proven that it's for real this year. [=has proven that it's good and has a real chance of winning] 3 : seriously or truly
▪ He's in trouble for real. [=he's really in trouble] ▪ They were just pretending to argue before, but now they're doing it for real.
▪ The information is for real.
▪ He convinced us that he was for real and really wanted to help. ▪ Is that guy for real?
b : genuinely good, skillful, etc.
▪ The team has proven that it's for real this year. [=has proven that it's good and has a real chance of winning]
▪ He's in trouble for real. [=he's really in trouble] ▪ They were just pretending to argue before, but now they're doing it for real.
get real
informal : to start to think in a serious or reasonable way : to stop having foolish ideas, hopes, etc.
▪ We have to get real about this problem. ▪ You think you can get into Harvard with those grades? Get real.
▪ We have to get real about this problem. ▪ You think you can get into Harvard with those grades? Get real.
keep it real
informal : to talk and behave in an honest and serious way that shows who you really are
▪ He says he's just trying to keep it real.
▪ He says he's just trying to keep it real.
the real deal — see 3deal
the real McCoy — see mccoy
the real thing — see thing
— re·al·ness noun [noncount]
▪ The jeweler verified the realness [=genuineness] of the diamond. ▪ The audience was impressed by the realness [=realism] of the movie.
▪ The jeweler verified the realness [=genuineness] of the diamond. ▪ The audience was impressed by the realness [=realism] of the movie.
