real

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Actually existing or happening, not imagined or invented.

   The film is based on a real person.

2. 2
   adj

   Genuine, not fake, artificial, or copied.

   This is real leather.

3. 3
   adj

   True and sincere, not pretended.

   These are real tears!

4. 4
   adj

   Serious and important; not to be taken lightly.

   Poverty and unemployment are very real problems.

5. 5
   adv

   Very; really (informal).

   That was a real good movie.

Common collocations

• real problem Adjective + noun
• real world Adjective + noun
• real trouble Adjective + noun

From Middle English real, from Old French reel, from Late Latin reālis (“actual”), from Latin rēs (“matter, thing”), from Proto-Indo-European *reh₁ís (“wealth, goods”). Doublet of realis.

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