realism

noun

re·​al·​ism ˈrē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary

2

a

: a doctrine that universals exist outside the mind

specifically : the conception that an abstract term names an independent and unitary reality

b

: a theory that objects of sense perception or cognition exist independently of the mind compare nominalism

3

: the theory or practice of fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization

Synonyms

• literalism
• naturalism
• representationalism
• verisimilitude
• verismo

Examples of realism in a Sentence

He has a sense of realism about what can be done to improve the economy.

The realism of her dream was alarming.

the stark realism of the play

Recent Examples on the Web

The groundbreaking series of 10 plays, each taking place in a different decade of the 20th century and most of them set in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, depicts Black lives with complexity, dignity and a tinge of magical realism. —Gordon Cox, Variety, 6 Jan. 2025

Climate Cat Fox Neutrino Thomas Wharton Searching for a new literary realism in the Anthropocene. —hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025

Chasing Hollywood realism requires Hollywood budgets, and even though Spider-Man 2 sold more than 11 million copies, several members of Insomniac lost their jobs when Sony announced 900 layoffs in February. —Zachary Small, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Still, its strengths—such as its spatial anchoring and immersive realism—offer tantalising possibilities. —Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing realism

• anti-realism
• magic realism
• photo-realism
• socialist realism

Kids Definition

realism

noun

re·​al·​ism ˈrē-ə-ˌliz-əm 

ˈri-ə-

1

: willingness to face facts and to give in to what is necessary

2

: the showing of things as they really are in art, literature, and theater

realist

-ləst 

adjective or noun