Reality — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /rē-ˈa-lə-tē/ re·al·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Reality

Reality (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being real
  2. a real event, entity, or state of affairs
  3. the totality of real things and events

Reality (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that actually exists

    "the ambition to make his dreams a reality"

    similar: actuality, case, fact, materiality
    related: certainty, inevitability, circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon, element, item, particular, thing
    opposite: fantasy, fiction, illusion
    near: eventuality, possibility, potentiality, probability

  2. the fact of being or of being real

    "no one denies the reality of electricity, though few people understand it fully"

    similar: actuality, corporality, corporeality, existence, subsistence, thingness
    related: genuineness, realness, activity, animation, life, currency, presence, prevalence
    opposite: inexistence, nonbeing, nonexistence, nothingness, unreality
    near: absence, dearth, lack, want, potentiality, virtuality

  3. the quality of being actual

    "the reality of the situation finally dawned on her and she sat down in stunned silence"

    similar: actuality, fact, factuality, materiality
    related: authenticity, genuineness, truth, verity
    opposite: irreality, unreality
    near: fancy, fantasy, fiction, fictitiousness, dreaminess, surreality

  4. one that has a real and independent existence

    "you'll need to cope with a whole new set of realities once you've become a parent"

    similar: being, commodity, entity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, something, substance, thing
    related: body, subject, material, matter, quantity, stuff
    near: nonentity

Related Entry: In reality (phrase)

In reality is a different word from Reality. The synonyms below are for in reality, not for reality.

  1. in actual fact

    "She told us the car was as good as new when in reality it needed several repairs."

    similar: actually, authentically, certifiably, genuinely, really, truly, veritably, very, in actuality, in truth
    related: accurately, exactly, just, precisely, right, sharp, smack-dab, squarely, almost, nearly, practically, virtually, literally, positively, simply
    opposite: professedly, supposedly
    near: apparently, ostensibly, outwardly, plausibly, seemingly

  2. to tell the truth

    "In reality he's all bark and no bite."

    similar: actually, admittedly, forsooth, frankly, honestly, indeed, really, truly, truthfully, verily, as a matter of fact, in actuality, in fact, in point of fact, in truth, to be sure
    related: absolutely, certainly, indisputably, indubitably, positively, realistically, undoubtedly, unquestionably, veritably

  3. not merely this but also

    "There are in reality a number of issues we'll need to discuss."

    similar: even, indeed, nay, truly, verily, yea, in fact, in truth
    related: assuredly, certainly, decidedly, definitely, doubtless, incontestably, incontrovertibly, indisputably, positively, really, surely, truly, undeniably, undoubtedly, unquestionably

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Reality

The most common words with a similar meaning to Reality:

actuality, case, fact, materiality, corporality, corporeality, existence, subsistence, thingness, factuality, being, commodity, entity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, something, substance, thing

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Reality

Words with the opposite meaning of Reality:

fantasy, fiction, illusion, inexistence, nonbeing, nonexistence, nothingness, unreality, irreality

Related Words for Reality

certainty, inevitability, circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon, element, item, particular, genuineness, realness, activity, animation, life, currency, presence, prevalence, authenticity, truth, verity, body, subject, material, matter, quantity, stuff

Near Antonyms of Reality

eventuality, possibility, potentiality, probability, absence, dearth, lack, want, virtuality, fancy, fictitiousness, dreaminess, surreality, nonentity

Word Forms of Reality

Inflections: realities

Origin & Etymology of Reality

First known use: circa 1513

Words & Phrases Containing Reality

reality check, augmented reality, in reality, virtual reality, divorced from reality

Frequently Asked Questions about Reality

What does "Reality" mean?

"Reality" means the quality or state of being real. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being real. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Reality"?

Other words for "Reality" include actuality, case, fact, materiality, corporality, corporeality, existence and subsistence. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Reality" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Reality"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Reality". Common alternatives include actuality, case, fact, materiality, corporality, corporeality, existence, subsistence, thingness and factuality.

What is the opposite of "Reality"?

Antonyms of "Reality" include fantasy, fiction, illusion, inexistence, nonbeing, nonexistence, nothingness and unreality. Near antonyms include eventuality, possibility, potentiality and probability.

How do you use "Reality" in a sentence?

Examples of "Reality" in a sentence: "the ambition to make his dreams a reality"; "no one denies the reality of electricity, though few people understand it fully"; "the reality of the situation finally dawned on her and she sat down in stunned silence".

Is "Reality" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Reality" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Reality"?

"Reality" is pronounced /rē-ˈa-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as re·al·i·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Reality"?

First known use: circa 1513.