real

Definitions

1. adjective

   True and not just in name.

   Examples

   • City hall has its place, but this pub is the real heart of the town.
   • The real reason he did not come was fear of flying.
2. adjective

   Not fake or artificial.

   Examples

   • This bag is made of real leather.
   • Is that a real diamond?
   ≈authentic≈genuine≈actual
3. adjective

   Sincere and honest.

   Examples

   • These are real tears!
   • She showed real kindness to the child.
4. adjective

   Actually existing, not imagined.

   Examples

   • This is a story about real life.
   • I woke up and the dream felt real.
5. adjective

   Having a physical existence.

   Examples

   • No one has ever seen a real unicorn.
   • The pain was real, not just in her mind.
   ≈actual
6. adjective

   In economics, adjusted for rising prices.

   Examples

   • My dad worked out our real spending each month.
   • What is the real income of the average worker?
7. adjective

   In economics, linked to real goods and work, not money.

   Examples

   • Real business cycle theory blames real shocks to the economy.
   • Economists debate whether real or money factors explain the recession.
8. adjective

   In math, any number that can be placed on a number line.

   Examples

   • Every real number is a point on the number line.
   • Pi is a real number, but it is not a fraction.
9. adjective

   Relating to land and buildings.

   Examples

   • She works in real estate.
   • He owns a lot of real property.
10. adjective

    Complete and total.

    Examples

    • This is a real problem.
    • That was a real mess you left behind.