real-world

adjective

ˈrē(-ə)l-ˈwər(-ə)ld 

: existing or occurring in reality : drawn from or drawing on actual events or situations : real-life

a real-world example

… the complex relationship between a word and the real-world thing it labels.

—Jean Aitchison

Digital objects aren't bound by the same constraints as real-world objects—that is, broadly speaking, the whole point of digital objects—but they're often made to look like real-world objects anyway.

—Lev Grossman

… combine the rigors of academics with the soothing realities of real-world applications.

—Ricardo Bilton

The paintings are essentially abstract, but they don't feel abstract. They feature, besides passages of figurative drawing, a real-world aura …

—Peter Schjeldahl

Examples of real-world in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, the story that revolves around Rey’s efforts to relaunch the Jedi Order is set 15 years after The Rise of Skywalker, so the fictional timeline was always meant to provide some real-world breathing room. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025

As technology advances, digital car racing replicates many aspects of real-world motorsports, like navigating tire wear and adjusting setups. —Madeline Coleman, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

The company also provides accurate information about businesses in any area, helping make informed decisions and refine search based on real-world usage data. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Musk emphasized Tesla's focus on real-world AI, claiming the company is making significant strides. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above