real

I. real¹ S1 W1 /rɪəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑realism, ↑realist, ↑reality, ↑unreality, ↑realization; adverb: ↑real, ↑really, ↑realistically ≠ ↑unrealistically; adjective: ↑real, ↑unreal, ↑realistic ≠ ↑unrealistic; verb: ↑realize]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: Medieval Latin realis 'of things (in law)', from Latin res 'thing']
1. IMPORTANT something that is real exists and is important:
There is a real danger that the disease might spread.
We need to tackle the real problems of unemployment and poverty.
There is no real reason to worry.
2. NOT ARTIFICIAL something that is real is actually what it seems to be and not false or artificial OPP fake:
a coat made of real fur
She had never seen a real live elephant before.
Artificial flowers can sometimes look better than the real thing.
3. NOT IMAGINARY something that is real actually exists and is not just imagined:
The children know that Santa Claus isn’t a real person.
Dreams can sometimes seem very real.
Things don’t happen quite that easily in real life.
4. the real world used to talk about the difficult experience of living and working with other people, rather than being protected at home, at school, or at college:
the shock of leaving university and going out into the real world
5. TRUE [only before noun] actual and true, not invented:
That’s not her real name.
What was the real reason you quit your job?
6. FEELINGS a real feeling or emotion is one that you actually experience and is strong SYN genuine:
There was a look of real hatred in her eyes.
I got a real sense of achievement when my work was first published.
7. RIGHT QUALITIES [only before noun] a real thing has all the qualities you expect something of that type to have:
I remember my first real job.
Simon was her first real boyfriend.
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
8. FOR EMPHASIS [only before noun] used to emphasize how stupid, beautiful, terrible etc someone or something is:
Thanks – you’ve been a real help.
The house was a real mess.
9. for real seriously, not just pretending:
After two trial runs we did it for real.
10. are you for real? American English used when you are very surprised or shocked by what someone has done or said
11. get real! used to tell someone that they are being very silly or unreasonable
12. keep it real to behave in an honest way and not pretend to be different from how you really are
13. MONEY [only before noun] a real increase or decrease in an amount of money is one you calculate by including the general decrease in the value of money over a period of time:
a real increase of 6% in average wages
The average value of salaries has fallen in real terms (=calculated in this way).
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ genuine used about a feeling, thing, or person that really is what they seem to be: genuine concern | Experts believe that the painting is genuine. | genuine refugees | a genuine reason for taking time off work | If a student has genuine religious objections to a school activity, they do not have to participate.
▪ real not false or artificial: real wood | His real name is Reginald. | It looks just like the real thing. | Are those flowers real or artificial?
▪ authentic authentic food, music, clothes etc are correct for the place or the period in history that they are supposed to be from: It’s a friendly restaurant offering authentic Greek food. | authentic medieval instruments | The dancers wore authentic Native American designs.
▪ true [only before noun] having all the qualities you would expect a particular type of person or thing to have: a true friend | She is a true professional. | Being a true Red Sox fan, he never missed a game. | True Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
▪ bona fide /ˌbəʊnə ˈfaɪdi $ ˈbəʊnə faɪd/ [usually before noun] bona fide people or things are really what they say they are, especially when this can be checked by looking at official documents: a bona fide medical qualification | a bona fide company | This club is only open to bona fide members.
▪ hard evidence/facts evidence or facts that are genuine and can be proved: There was no hard evidence to support the theory.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

real

[ri͟ːl]
♦
1) ADJ Something that is real actually exists and is not imagined, invented, or theoretical.
  No, it wasn't a dream. It was real...
  Legends grew up around a great many figures, both real and fictitious.
  Syn:
  genuine
  Ant:
  imaginary
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n If something is real to someone, they experience it as though it really exists or happens, even though it does not.
  Whitechild's life becomes increasingly real to the reader.
3) ADJ: usu ADJ n A material or object that is real is natural or functioning, and not artificial or an imitation.
  ...the smell of real leather...
  Who's to know if they're real guns or not?...
  Desmond did not believe the diamond was real.
  Syn:
  genuine
  Ant:
  fake, imitation
4) ADJ: ADJ n You can use real to describe someone or something that has all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has.
  ...his first real girlfriend...
  He's not a real alcoholic...
  The only real job I'd ever had was as manager of the local cafe.
  Syn:
  proper
5) ADJ: ADJ n You can use real to describe something that is the true or original thing of its kind, in contrast to one that someone wants you to believe is true.
  This was the real reason for her call...
  Her real name had been Miriam Pinckus.
  Syn:
  true
6) ADJ: ADJ n You can use real to describe something that is the most important or typical part of a thing.
  When he talks, he only gives glimpses of his real self...
  The smart executive has people he can trust doing all the real work.
  ...a solo journey to discover the real America.
  Syn:
  true
7) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (emphasis) You can use real when you are talking about a situation or feeling to emphasize that it exists and is important or serious.
  Global warming is a real problem...
  The prospect of civil war is very real...
  There was never any real danger of the children being affected...
  Political defeat seemed a real possibility at the end of 1981...
  At least they have a real chance to find work.
8) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n (emphasis) You can use real to emphasize a quality that is genuine and sincere.
  You've been drifting from job to job without any real commitment...
  Germany has shown real determination to come to terms with the anti-Semitism of its past.
9) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You can use real before nouns to emphasize your description of something or someone. [mainly SPOKEN]
  `It's a fabulous deal, a real bargain.'...
  `You must think I'm a real idiot.'
10) ADJ: ADJ n The real cost or value of something is its cost or value after other amounts have been added or subtracted and when factors such as the level of inflation have been considered.
  ...the real cost of borrowing.
  Syn:
  actual, net
PHRASE: PHR with cl
You can also talk about the cost or value of something in real terms. In real terms the cost of driving is cheaper than a decade ago... Pensions have increased in real terms over the last twenty years.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹re·al /ˈriːjəl/ adj
1 : actually existing or happening : not imaginary
• The movie is based on real events.
• The detective Sherlock Holmes is not a real person.
• He has no real power; he is just a figurehead.
• The battle scenes in the movie seemed very real to me.
• The team has a real chance at winning.
• There is a very real possibility that we will be moving to Maine.
• In real life, relationships are not perfect.
• The actor looks taller on TV than he does in real life.
• I finally got to talk to a real live person [=an actual person] instead of a machine.
• He's always daydreaming and seems to be out of touch with the real world.
• Their son finally went out into the real world [=the world where people have to work, deal with daily problems, etc.] and got a job.
2 : not fake, false, or artificial
• real [=genuine] leather
• a real diamond
• Your real friends [=the people who are truly your friends] would be here to help you.
• What is his real name?
• Tell me the real reason you need the money.
3 : important and deserving to be regarded or treated in a serious way
• This is a very real problem/danger/concern.
• They have avoided talking about the real issues.
• There is no real reason to worry.
4 always used before a noun
- used for emphasis
• There's a real surprise at the end of the movie.
• Receiving this award is a real thrill.
• He's being a real jerk.
5 : strong and sincere
• I have no real interest in sports. [=I'm not very interested in sports]
• He made a real effort to improve his grades.
• There was a look of real [=genuine] astonishment on her face.
• She showed real delight/happiness when I told her the good news.
6 always used before a noun finance : measured by what money can actually buy at a particular time
• a real increase in wages as compared to inflation
• Charitable donations declined in real dollars last year.
for real informal
1 : true and genuine
• The information is for real.
2 US
a : honest and serious
• He convinced us that he was for real and really wanted to help.
• Is that guy for real?
b : genuinely good, skillful, etc.
• The team has proven that it's for real this year. [=has proven that it's good and has a real chance of winning]
3 : seriously or truly
• He's in trouble for real. [=he's really in trouble]
• They were just pretending to argue before, but now they're doing it for real.
get real informal : to start to think in a serious or reasonable way : to stop having foolish ideas, hopes, etc.
• We have to get real about this problem.
• You think you can get into Harvard with those grades? Get real.
keep it real informal : to talk and behave in an honest and serious way that shows who you really are
• He says he's just trying to keep it real.
the real deal
- see ³deal
the real McCoy
- see mccoy
the real thing
- see thing