realistic
gb/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk/ us/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk/
B1
English
~ 6800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
sensible and practical about reality
Thinking in a sensible way about what can really happen, not dreaming or hoping for things that are very unlikely.
Usage pattern:
be realistic about [something]; a realistic [goal/plan/expectation]; it is realistic to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners often use "real" instead of "realistic" when talking about plans or goals, e.g. saying *"a real goal"* instead of *"a realistic goal"*. Use "real" for things that actually exist, and "realistic" for ideas, plans, or expectations that are possible in real life. Another common error is using "possible" when "realistic" is better: many things are possible, but only some are realistic because they are likely.
Synonyms
practical (Focuses on what works in real life, often about actions and solutions, not just expectations.)
|
sensible (Stresses good judgment and clear thinking, sometimes with a slightly approving tone.)
|
down-to-earth (Informal; emphasizes being simple and not dreamy or overly idealistic.)
Antonyms
unrealistic (Direct opposite; suggests ideas or expectations that are not possible or likely.)
|
idealistic (Focuses on how things should be rather than how they actually are in practice.)
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naive (Suggests a lack of experience or understanding of real-world difficulties.)
Collocations
realistic goals
|realistic expectations
|a realistic plan
|a realistic chance
|realistic budget
|be realistic about
Themes
daily life
|work
|psychology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need to be realistic about how long this project will take.
- Her plan to retire at forty is not very realistic.
- Set realistic goals so you do not get disappointed.
- The company offered a realistic timeline for delivery.
- Are your sales targets realistic given the current market?
Learner examples
- You must be realistic about your English level.
- His dream to be a star next year is not realistic.
- She made a realistic plan to save money.
- These are realistic goals for the first month.
- It is realistic to expect some problems at the start.
adjective
B1
property
2
very lifelike or true-to-life
Looking, sounding, or feeling like real life, especially in pictures, movies, games, or stories.
Usage pattern:
a realistic [image/portrayal/scene]; realistic enough to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "real" and "realistic" here, saying *"a real picture"* when they mean *"a realistic picture"*. Use "real" for something that actually exists (a real dog), and "realistic" for something that only looks or sounds like real life (a realistic toy dog).
Synonyms
lifelike (Strongly emphasizes how much something looks or feels alive or real.)
|
naturalistic (More formal; often used for art, acting, or description that closely copies nature or real life.)
Antonyms
cartoonish (Suggests simple, exaggerated, or childish style, the opposite of detailed and true-to-life.)
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artificial (Implies something looks or feels fake or not like real life.)
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stylized (Describes art or performance that follows a special style instead of copying real life closely.)
Collocations
realistic picture
|realistic dialogue
|realistic portrayal
|realistic graphics
|realistic details
|highly realistic
Themes
art
|media
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The video game's graphics are incredibly realistic.
- Her novel is full of realistic dialogue and complex characters.
- The movie uses realistic special effects to show the battle scenes.
- This model of the heart is so realistic that it is used in medical training.
- The painting is not photo-realistic, but the light and shadows feel very realistic.
Learner examples
- These computer images are very realistic.
- The actors gave realistic performances.
- I like stories with realistic characters.
- The sound of the rain in the film is realistic.
- This toy animal looks realistic.
adjective
B2
property
3
plausible, could really happen
Talking about events or stories that are not true but could really happen in the real world.
Usage pattern:
a realistic [story/scenario/possibility]; realistic enough that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with "real" and say *"a real story"* when they mean a made-up but realistic story. "Real" means it actually happened; "realistic" means it could happen. They may also overuse "possible"; something can be possible but still not very realistic if it is extremely unlikely.
Synonyms
plausible (Suggests something could be true or could happen; slightly more formal.)
|
believable (Focuses on whether people can easily accept it as possible or true.)
Antonyms
far-fetched (Describes ideas or stories that seem very unlikely or hard to believe.)
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fantastical (Involves very imaginative, magical, or impossible elements.)
Collocations
realistic story
|realistic scenario
|realistic example
|realistic case study
|realistic role-play
|realistic training
Themes
media
|literature
|education
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The teacher asked the students to write a realistic story about life in the future.
- The disaster plan includes several realistic scenarios the city might face.
- The film presents a realistic scenario of what could happen during a pandemic.
- Role-play gives students realistic situations to practice their language skills.
- This is a realistic example of the kind of problem you will see on the exam.
Learner examples
- The book is fantasy, not realistic.
- We practiced a realistic conversation at the restaurant.
- Please give a realistic example, not a strange one.
- The movie shows a realistic future world.
- The game puts you in realistic situations at work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
realistic
IPA
GB/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk/
US/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk/
Syllables & stress
real - ist - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ist)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: realistic
Word family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
realizable
adjective
Expressions
a realistic chance
1/ə ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk t͡ʃˈæns/
fixed phrase
a reasonably likely possibility
A real possibility that something good or bad might happen, not just a very small or crazy chance.
Examples
- She has a realistic chance of getting the job.
- Do we have a realistic chance of winning this contract?
- There is a realistic chance that it will rain tomorrow.
a realistic option
1/ə ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk ˈɑpʃən/
fixed phrase
a practical, possible choice
A choice that you can really use because it is possible and makes sense.
Examples
- Working part-time is not a realistic option for him right now.
- Is moving abroad a realistic option for your family?
- Given the budget, this is the only realistic option.
be realistic
1/bˈi ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk/
fixed phrase
think in a practical, sensible way
To think or talk about a situation in a sensible way, accepting what is truly likely to happen.
Examples
- Be realistic about how much you can do in one day.
- Let’s be realistic: we probably won’t finish this by Friday.
- If you want to improve, you have to be realistic about your weaknesses.
keep it realistic
1/kˈip ˈɪt ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
avoid exaggeration, stay practical
To make sure that a plan, idea, or story stays close to what could really happen, not something crazy.
Examples
- Your story is fun, but try to keep it realistic.
- Let’s keep it realistic and start with a smaller project.
- When you write your goals, keep them realistic.
realistic about [something]
1/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
practical about a particular thing
To think about one topic in a sensible way, accepting the true situation.
Examples
- You need to be realistic about how much this will cost.
- He is very realistic about his chances of promotion.
- Let’s try to stay realistic about what we can achieve this year.
realistic expectations
1/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
expectations that match reality
Beliefs about what will happen that are not too high or too low, and can really happen.
Examples
- Parents should have realistic expectations of their children’s abilities.
- We need realistic expectations about how fast the economy can grow.
- Having realistic expectations will help you feel less stressed at work.
realistic picture of
1/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk pˈɪkt͡ʃɚ əv/
fixed phrase
accurate description of a situation
A description or view that shows the truth about a situation, not just the good parts.
Examples
- The report gives a realistic picture of life in the camps.
- The documentary offers a realistic picture of modern farming.
- Teachers should give students a realistic picture of the job market.
realistic portrayal
1/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk pɔɹtɹˈeɪəl/
fixed phrase
very lifelike depiction
A way of showing people or events in a film, book, or painting that is very close to real life.
Examples
- The movie is praised for its realistic portrayal of family life.
- The series offers a realistic portrayal of life in a big city hospital.
- Critics loved the realistic portrayal of teenage friendships.
realistic prices
1/ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk pɹˈaɪsɪz/
fixed phrase
prices that are fair and reasonable
Prices that are not too high or too low for what something is worth.
Examples
- The store offers good quality at realistic prices.
- We need to set realistic prices if we want to stay competitive.
- Buyers are only interested if the house is listed at a realistic price.
set realistic goals
1/sˈɛt ɹˌiəlˈɪstɪk ɡˈoʊlz/
fixed phrase
choose goals you can really reach
To decide on goals that you can really reach, not goals that are too hard or impossible.
Examples
- When learning a language, it’s important to set realistic goals.
- The coach helped the team set realistic goals for the season.
- You should set realistic goals so you don’t get discouraged.