1re·al·i·ty 
/riˈæləti/ noun
plural re·al·i·ties /riˈæləti/ noun 1 [noncount] : the true situation that exists : the real situation
▪ He refused to face/accept reality. [=the truth] ▪ the difference between fiction/fantasy and reality ▪ She's out of touch with reality. [=she does not know what is really true] ▪ The reality is that we can't afford to buy a house. ▪ He used television as an escape from reality. 2 [count] : something that actually exists or happens : a real event, occurrence, situation, etc.
▪ The movie shows the harsh/grim/stark realities of war. [=the things that really happen in a war] ▪ Her dream of competing in the Olympics became a reality. [=she competed in the Olympics, as she had dreamed of doing] ▪ They made the plan a reality. — see also virtual reality
▪ He refused to face/accept reality. [=the truth] ▪ the difference between fiction/fantasy and reality ▪ She's out of touch with reality. [=she does not know what is really true] ▪ The reality is that we can't afford to buy a house. ▪ He used television as an escape from reality.
▪ The movie shows the harsh/grim/stark realities of war. [=the things that really happen in a war] ▪ Her dream of competing in the Olympics became a reality. [=she competed in the Olympics, as she had dreamed of doing] ▪ They made the plan a reality. — see also virtual reality
in reality
: in truth — used to stress that something is true or real especially when it is different from what was believed or expected ▪ They talked as if they had accomplished a lot, but in reality they did very little. ▪ In reality, she was 15 years younger than she looked.
