reality

English

Etymology

Recorded since 1550 as a legal term in the sense of “fixed property” (compare real estate), from Medieval Latin realitas, from Late Latin realis (“real”); the sense “real existence” is attested from 1647.

Pronunciation

Noun

reality (usually uncountable; plural realities)

  1. The state of being actual or real.
    The reality of the crash scene on TV dawned upon him only when he saw the victim was no actor but his friend.
    • Addison
      A man fancies that he understands a critic, when in reality he does not comprehend his meaning.
  2. A real entity, event or other fact.
    The ultimate reality of life is that it ends in death.
    • Milton
      And to realities yield all her shows.
    • Beattie
      My neck may be an idea to you, but it is reality to me.
  3. The entirety of all that is real.
  4. An individual observer's own subjective perception of that which is real.
  5. (obsolete) loyalty; devotion
    • Fuller
      To express our reality to the emperor.
  6. (law, obsolete) realty; real estate

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

state of being actual or real
a real entity, event etc.
entirety of all that is real
an individual observer's subjective perception
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Translations to be checked

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Last modified on 31 March 2013, at 22:15