real meaning and definition

REAL noun

Definition of real (noun)

1. any rational or irrational number
   • synonyms: real number
2. the basic unit of money in Brazil; equal to 100 centavos
3. an old small silver Spanish coin

REAL adjective

Definition of real (adjective)

1. being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
   • "real objects"; "real people; not ghosts"; "a film based on real life"; "a real illness"; "real humility"; "Life is real! Life is earnest!"- Longfellow
   • synonyms: existent
   • antonym: unreal
2. no less than what is stated; worthy of the name
   • "the real reason"; "real war"; "a real friend"; "a real woman"; "meat and potatoes--I call that a real meal"; "it's time he had a real job"; "it's no penny-ante job--he's making real money"
   • antonym: unreal
3. not to be taken lightly
   • "statistics demonstrate that poverty and unemployment are very real problems"; "to the man sleeping regularly in doorways homelessness is real"
4. capable of being treated as fact
   • "tangible evidence"; "his brief time as Prime Minister brought few real benefits to the poor"
   • synonyms: tangible
5. being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
   • "her actual motive"; "a literal solitude like a desert"- G.K.Chesterton; "a genuine dilemma"
   • synonyms: actual, genuine, literal
6. of, relating to, or representing an amount that is corrected for inflation
   • "real prices"; "real income"; "real wages"
   • antonym: nominal
7. having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary
   • "the substantial world"; "a mere dream, neither substantial nor practical"; "most ponderous and substantial things"- Shakespeare
   • synonyms: material, substantial
   • antonym: insubstantial
8. (of property) fixed or immovable
   • "real property consists of land and buildings"
9. coinciding with reality
   • "perceptual error...has a surprising resemblance to veridical perception"- F.A.Olafson
   • synonyms: veridical

REAL adverb

Definition of real (adverb)

1. used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal
   • "she was very gifted"; "he played very well"; "a really enjoyable evening"; "I'm real sorry about it"; "a rattling good yarn"
   • synonyms: rattling, really, very