real
real Lexical Profile
real Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined, supposed, or theoretical.
"The documentary explores the real events that inspired the famous novel."
Not imitation or artificial; genuine and authentic.
"She was thrilled to discover that the antique necklace was made of real gold."
Sincere, honest, and unpretentious in behavior or character.
"People appreciate her because she is always real and speaks her mind."
In law and economics, relating to fixed, permanent property such as land and buildings, or adjusted for inflation as opposed to nominal value.
"Despite small pay raises, real wages have declined over the past year due to rising inflation."
In mathematics, relating to numbers that can be represented as points along a continuous infinite line, including both rational and irrational numbers.
"The equation has two distinct real solutions and no complex roots."
• adverb
North American Used informally as an intensifier meaning very or extremely.
"Everyone was real friendly to us when we first moved into the neighborhood."
• noun
The basic monetary unit of Brazil since 1994, or a former silver coin and monetary unit of Spain and Spanish America (whose plural in Portuguese is 'reais' and in Spanish 'reales').
"The Brazilian real strengthened against the dollar following the central bank's announcement."
In mathematics, a real number, or the set of all real numbers when used in the plural.
"The function maps every element in the reals to a non-negative value."
In philosophy, that which actually exists; reality as a whole.
"Early metaphysical treatises often sought to distinguish the real from mere appearance."
Word Nuance & Usage
As an adverb meaning 'very' or 'truly', 'real' is strictly informal and chiefly North American; in formal writing, 'really' should be used instead.
• Rhymes for real
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The adjective derives from Late Latin 'realis' (actual), from Latin 'res' (thing, matter). The currency noun comes from Spanish and Portuguese 'real' (royal), from Latin 'regalis' (regal).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.