0 the set of situations most humans have to deal with in their lives, rather than what happens in stories, films, etc.: --
Christine, the play's main character, wouldn't last a minute in the real world.
[ before noun ] real-world situations/experiences
1 happening in the world or in someone's life rather than in a book, in the imagination, on the internet, etc.: --
We can complete it step by step however long the road is and it can't be completed however short the road is if you don't even mark your footprint.
We kunnen het stap voor stap voltooien, hoe lang de weg ook is en het kan niet worden voltooid, hoe kort de weg ook is, als je niet eens je voetafdruk markeert.