What does “reality” mean?
- 1
nounthe true situation, not what people imagine or hope
We need to face reality and cut costs.
- 2
nounsomething that actually exists or happens
Her dream of opening a café became a reality.
Reality at a glance
- Part of speech
- noun
- CEFR level
- B1 (intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /riˈæləti/ · ree-AL-uh-tee
- Forms
- realities
How to use “reality” correctly
“In reality” introduces the true situation after something that seemed true: “It looks easy, but in reality it takes years.”
Common phrases with “reality”
- in reality
- become a reality
- face reality
- reality TV
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- fantasy
- illusion
“reality” is on these word lists
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