Meaning of real In English

• 0 existing in fact and not imaginary:

  • Assuring the patient that she has a real and not imaginary problem is the first step.

  • There is a very real threat that he will lose his job.

  • Wages rose by 2.9 percent last year, but real earnings still fell by 1.3 percent.

  • Average earnings rose 5 percent in real terms after deducting income tax.

  • Over-protecting children does not equip them to deal with the real world.

  • Why waste time on virtual friendships, when there are people out there in the real world who want to spend time with you?

• 1 being what it appears to be and not false:

  • real leather/fur

  • Is that a toy gun or the real thing?

  • The pub sells several kinds of real ale (= traditional beer).

  • I thought it was just a drill but apparently it was for real.

• 2 the most important; the main:

  • The real difficulty was the language, because my children don't speak English.

  • Novelty value may be a part of it, but the real reason people like our paper is that it speaks the truth.

• 3 used to emphasize a noun:

  • He's a real gentleman.

  • She was a real help.

  • It's a real nuisance.

• 4 very:

  • I like this homemade lemonade, it's real good!

  • It's real easy to do.

• 5 the standard unit of money used in Brazil:

  • The Brazilian real has gained 83 percent in value against the dollar.

  • The dam is expected to cost 9.5 billion reals.

• 6 existing in fact; not imaginary:

  • There is a real possibility that he will lose his job.

  • This is a true story about real people.

• 7 being what it appears to be; genuine:

  • Are those flowers real or fake?

  • The chest of drawers is a real antique.

• 8 very great or to a great degree:

  • He’s a real gentleman.

  • The current situation is a real mess.

• 9 in a very great way or to a great degree:

  • I get cold real easy.

  • It’s real nice to meet you.

• 10 after considering the effects of inflation:

  • Wages rose by 2.9% last year, but real earnings still fell by 1.3%.

  • Japan's economy grew by 1.5% in real terms in the first quarter.