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Meaning & use

realistic

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk/
US/ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Seeing things as they really are and accepting what can truly be done, without hoping for too much.

    Grammar: Describes people, plans or goals: a realistic goal; be realistic about your chances.

    Patterns

    • be realistic about something
    • it is realistic to do something

    Let's be realistic: we cannot finish the project by Friday.

    She set a realistic budget for the trip.

    It is not realistic to expect a profit in the first month.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Looking, sounding or behaving very much like something in real life.

    Grammar: Describes images, stories or models: a realistic painting.

    Patterns

    • a realistic portrayal of something
    • look realistic

    The film gives a realistic picture of life in a hospital.

    The toy dinosaur looked surprisingly realistic.

    The game has realistic sound effects.

Word forms

comparativemore realistic
superlativemost realistic

Common combinations

realistic goal
Losing one pound a week is a realistic goal.
be realistic
You have to be realistic about how much you can carry.
realistic expectations
She has realistic expectations about the job.
realistic portrayal
The novel offers a realistic portrayal of farm life.
perfectly realistic
The robot's face looked perfectly realistic.
realistic approach
A realistic approach would be to hire two extra staff.

Synonyms and how they differ

practical
Focuses on what works in use, while realistic focuses on accepting facts and limits.
sensible
Stresses good judgement and calm choices and does not directly say anything about expectations.
lifelike
Fits only the second sense, describing images or models that look like real life.
pragmatic
Suggests dealing with problems by what works rather than by theory, and sounds more formal.

Opposites

unrealisticidealisticfanciful

Word family

real adjective
actual, not imagined
realism noun
a practical attitude, or a style showing life as it is
realist noun
a person with a practical outlook
realistically adverb
in a practical way
unrealistic adjective
not sensible or true to life

Commonly confused: realistic or real? realistic or reasonable?

realistic vs real

Real means actually existing, whereas realistic means practical or looking like the real thing.

realistic vs reasonable

Reasonable means fair or sensible, while realistic is about what can actually be done.

Practice

It's not ____ to expect a beginner to run a marathon after one week of training.

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