reality

noun

re·​al·​i·​ty rē-ˈa-lə-tē 

plural realities

1

: the quality or state of being real

2

a(1)

: a real event, entity, or state of affairs

his dream became a reality

(2)

: the totality of real things and events

trying to escape from reality

b

: something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

3

: television programming that features people (especially people who are not professional actors) dealing with real-life situations or participating in contrived activities (such as competitions)

I for one am rooting for anything that stems the rising tide of reality on television.

—Ted Cox

… it's a tough choice between The Voice and Dancing With the Stars. … If reality means nothing to you, then you're faced with a medical drama, a superhero drama and comedies.

—Chris Harnick

—usually used before another noun

reality stars

a reality series

reality shows

fans of reality TV/television

… critical judge Simon Cowell praised him as "the best magician ever" on the Britain's Got Talent reality competition.

—Markos Papadatos

The Arkansas native competing on the popular reality dating show The Bachelor has advanced to become one of only three remaining contestants.

—arkansasonline.com

… beat out 20,000 applicants to become one of 18 final contestants on Hell's Kitchen, the reality cooking show that banks on aspiring chefs' ambition (and vulnerabilities) and chef Gordon Ramsay's volatility.

—Sarah Reiss

Phrases

in reality

: in actual fact

Synonyms

• actuality
• case
• fact
• materiality

Examples of reality in a Sentence

the difference between fiction and reality

The reality is that we can't afford to buy a house.

He used television as an escape from reality.

They made the plan a reality.

Recent Examples on the Web

Unsurprisingly, with little more than a year to run before Windows 10’s unpopular end-of-life becomes reality, speculation continues to mount as to whether Microsoft will relent and extend support or remove the hardware hurdles preventing millions from upgrading. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

One of the podcast hosts pointed out that having multiple surgeries for the same issue could pose a health risk and wondered if doctors had been able to find a solution for the reality star. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024

Still, the most egregious trait of Trump’s campaign was his willingness to state highly consequential claims that were entirely at odds with reality, standing by them when challenged and sailing on — dismissive or seemingly oblivious to all criticism. —Ron Elving, NPR, 14 Sep. 2024

The business that has put his children through college, is losing the next generation to more sustainable and attractive careers in law and entertainment — a reality that Rod is equally proud of and saddened by. —Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reality

• augmented reality
• divorced from reality
• in reality
• losing his grip on reality
• lost touch with reality
• reality check
• reality shows
• reality TV/television
• virtual reality

Kids Definition

reality

noun

re·​al·​i·​ty rē-ˈal-ət-ē 

plural realities

1

: the quality or state of being real

2

: someone or something real or actual

our dream became a reality

3

: television programming that shows videos of actual occurrences (as police chases, stunts, or natural disasters)