real
gb/ɹˈil/ us/ɹˈil/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Actually existing or true
Something that is real exists and is not made up or imagined.
Usage pattern:
[something] is real
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'real' with 'really' when they mean 'very'. For example, 'It is real good' should be 'It is really good'.
Synonyms
actual (Very close in meaning, but 'actual' can emphasize contrast with what was expected.)
Antonyms
imaginary (Describes something made up or not existing in reality.)
Collocations
real problem
|real person
|real world
|real story
|real thing
Themes
daily life
|truth
|perception
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The danger was very real, so we left immediately.
- I can't believe this is real—it's like a dream.
- She finally met a real celebrity at the event.
- Is that diamond real or fake?
- Climate change is a real and urgent issue.
Learner examples
- The dog is real, not a toy.
- This story is real, not made up.
- That is a real flower, not plastic.
- The money is real.
- The problem is real.
adjective
informal
B1
property
2
Genuine or sincere
If someone is real, they are honest and not pretending to be something else.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is real
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'real' meaning 'not fake' for objects. Here it refers to sincerity in people or feelings.
Synonyms
authentic ('Authentic' can sound more formal and often refers to objects or experiences as well as people.)
Antonyms
fake (Describes someone or something that pretends to be genuine but is not.)
Collocations
real friend
|real feelings
|real talent
Themes
personality
|relationships
|emotions
Examples
- He's one of the most real people I've ever met.
- I appreciate her because she's so real about her struggles.
- Fans love the singer for being real with them.
- You can tell he's real—he doesn't try to impress anyone.
Learner examples
- She is a real friend.
- He is real about his life.
- They are real with each other.
- She shows her real feelings.
adjective
A2
property
3
Not artificial or fake
If something is real, it is made of the true material and not fake.
Usage pattern:
real [material/noun]
Synonyms
genuine ('Genuine' is slightly more formal and common in product descriptions.)
Antonyms
fake (Describes an imitation of something genuine.)
Collocations
real leather
|real gold
|real diamond
Themes
materials
|commerce
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This bag is made of real leather.
- Are those pearls real or imitation?
- He only drinks coffee made from real beans.
Learner examples
- This ring is real gold.
- The coat is real fur.
- The bag is real leather.
adjective
informal
B1
property
4
Very great or extreme (informal)
'Real' can mean 'very' when talking informally about how strong something is.
Usage pattern:
real [adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this form in formal writing where 'really' would be preferred.
Synonyms
really ('Really' is more standard grammatically, but 'real' is common in informal speech.)
Antonyms
slightly (Indicates a small degree rather than a high degree.)
Collocations
real easy
|real good
|real bad
Themes
intensity
|informal speech
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This cake is real good!
- It was a real surprise to see him there.
- She's a real smart kid.
Learner examples
- This movie is real fun.
- He is real tall.
- The game was real exciting.
Noun
B1
entity
5
Brazilian currency unit
'Real' is the money used in Brazil. The plural form is 'reais'.
Collocations
one real
|ten reais
Themes
money
|geography
|finance
|travel
Examples
- The ticket costs fifty reais.
- I exchanged dollars for reals at the bank.
- Prices are listed in Brazilian reals.
Learner examples
- I have ten reais.
- The book costs five reais.
- Brazil uses the real as money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
real
IPA
GB/ɹˈil/
US/ɹˈil/
Syllables & stress
real (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (real)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: real
- Comparative: realer
- Superlative: realest
Noun
- Base: real
- Plural: reales, reals, reis, riales
Word family
Forms
reales
noun
reals
noun
reis
noun
riales
noun
realer
adjective
realest
adjective
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
surreal
adjective
surrealism
noun C1
Expressions
for real
1/fɚ ɹˈil/
fixed phrase
informal
Genuinely true or happening
Used to say that something is really true or actually happening.
Examples
- Are you for real? I can't believe it!
- This time it's for real—we're getting married.
get real
1/ɡˈɛt ɹˈil/
idiom
informal
Be realistic about something
To stop dreaming or pretending and understand the truth about a situation.
Examples
- Get real! That plan will never work.
- You think you can finish this in one day? Get real.
in real life
1/ˈɪn ɹˈil lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
In the actual world, not virtual or fictional
In the world that is not online, in movies, or in games.
Examples
- We talk online but have never met in real life.
- In real life, things are more complicated than in films.
keep it real
1/kˈip ˈɪt ɹˈil/
idiom
informal
Act naturally and honestly
To be yourself and not pretend to be someone else.
Examples
- He's famous but still keeps it real with his fans.
- Remember to keep it real when you meet them.
make it real
1/mˈeɪk ˈɪt ɹˈil/
fixed phrase
Turn an idea into reality
To do something so that an idea becomes true in the world.
Examples
- The artist's goal was to make her vision real.
- Technology can make these dreams real.