real-life

[ree-uhl-lahyf, reel-] / ˈri əlˌlaɪf, ˈril- /

ADJECTIVE

existing in reality

Synonyms

STRONGEST

actual authentic concrete corporal corporeal honest legitimate physical tangible

STRONG

empirical factual practical realistic

WEAK

non-fictional

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fake fictional

STRONG

delusional ethereal unrealistic

WEAK

untrue

NOUN

life as lived in the real world

Synonyms

STRONGEST

actuality natural world physical world real world

STRONG

reality realness

WEAK

being existence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Similar to a real-life version of The Truman Show, the setup recorded every moment of each animal's life.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

With his practiced executive scowl and scripted boardroom catchphrase, “You’re fired!,” the show burnished his image as a decisive billionaire dealmaker, even as his real-life business results were far less impressive.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Many visitors post online about their trip -- making pilgrimages to real-life locations from cartoons or joking about spending $1,000 on flights just so they can eat a $1 convenience store rice ball.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

The hotels are looking to piggyback on a current trend: Over the past few years, social clubs in general have gotten popular, as people seek out places to enjoy community post-Covid and real-life meetups.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The kingdom of Mariposa had started as drawings and maps and stories from her imagination, but soon she began to see her real-life neighborhood through its lens, transforming the everyday into the fantastic.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz