Phrase guide

in reality

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

In real life, as opposed to online, play, make believe, or theory.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: for real life, in practice, in real life, really

Antonyms: hypothetically, online, theoretically, virtual

2

adverb

Meaning 2

used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • you may actually be doing the right thing by walking out
  • she actually spoke Latin
  • they thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets
  • people who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: actually

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: en realidad — Translations
  • Spanish: en puridad — Translations