reality

reality — noun

1. the world and the way things actually are around you, not the way you imagine or

1.nounA2
Definition

the world and the way things actually are around you, not the way you imagine or wish them to be

Example

Anong found it hard to accept the reality of her father's illness.

collocation: accept the reality of + noun

In reality, Talia's business plan needed twice the money she had saved.

phrase: in reality (contrast marker)

Common collocations
  • harsh reality
  • face reality
  • accept reality
  • escape from reality
  • reality sets in
  • the reality of + noun
Synonyms
  • actual life

    more informal, everyday tone — 'in actual life' vs 'in reality'

  • real world

    emphasises the contrast with fantasy or theory

Antonyms
  • fantasy

    reality is what exists; fantasy is imagined

  • imagination

    reality is external; imagination is internal

Grammar Patterns

reality + of + noun phrase

in reality

Usage Note

Often used as an uncountable noun. The phrase 'in reality' commonly appears at the start of a sentence to contrast a mistaken belief with what is actually true.

Common Mistakes

In the reality, most plans fail.
In reality, most plans fail.
'in reality' does not take an article; it is a fixed phrase.
The reality is different from my imagine.
Reality is different from what I imagined.
use a clause after 'what', not a possessive.'

2. something that actually exists or happens in life, and can be seen, experienced,

2.nounB1
Definition

something that actually exists or happens in life, and can be seen, experienced, or proven to be true

Example

Air pollution is a grim reality that people in many big cities face every day.

collocation: grim reality + that-clause

Ziad's dream of studying abroad finally became a reality last autumn.

collocation: become a reality

Common collocations
  • become a reality
  • turn into a reality
  • a daily reality
  • the reality that
  • a harsh reality
Synonyms
  • fact

    more neutral — 'fact' is a piece of information; 'reality' emphasises experienced truth

  • truth

    focuses on correctness rather than existence

Antonyms
  • dream

    a dream is not yet a reality

  • fiction

    fiction is invented; reality actually happens

Grammar Patterns

the reality that + clause

become a reality

Usage Note

Countable in this sense — you can say 'a reality' or 'the reality'. Frequently followed by a that-clause that specifies the content of the reality. Distinguished from sense 1 by being a specific, countable thing rather than an uncountable state.

Common Mistakes

His success become reality last year.
His success became a reality last year.
'reality' is countable here and needs an article.
The reality of the poverty is hard to ignore.
The reality of poverty is hard to ignore.
do not use 'the' before a general concept like poverty.'

3. a type of television programme that shows ordinary people in unplanned, real-lif

3.nounB1
Definition

a type of television programme that shows ordinary people in unplanned, real-life situations, created as entertainment rather than using actors and scripts

Example

Renata's favourite reality show follows the lives of nurses in a busy hospital.

modifier: reality show

Most reality programmes are filmed over several weeks to capture honest reactions.

modifier: reality programme

Common collocations
  • reality TV
  • reality show
  • reality programme
  • reality series
  • reality star
  • reality competition
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

reality + noun (TV / show / programme / series)

Usage Note

Not a standalone noun for a TV show — you would not say 'I watched a reality' but 'I watched a reality show'. The word functions as a modifier (noun adjunct) before words like TV, show, programme, series, star.

Common Mistakes

I like watching reality on TV.
I like watching reality shows on TV.
'reality' as a TV genre needs a following noun like 'show' or 'TV'.
The actors in reality TV are very talented.
The participants in reality TV are not actors.
using 'actors' for non-scripted participants is confusing.'
Idioms

reality check

idiom

an event or piece of information that reminds you of the true state of things, especially when you have been too hopeful or optimistic

When Talia saw the hospital bill, it was a harsh reality check for her family.

in reality

idiom

This phrase shows that the true situation is not the same as what people think or say.

Maya looked calm, but in reality she was very nervous.

In reality, the project cost much more than the initial estimate.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Reality is the broadest of the three — it refers to everything that actually exists, including situations, experiences, and the physical world. Truth is narrower: it describes how well a statement or belief matches reality. A fact is a single piece of verifiable information that is part of reality. For example, that winter temperatures dropped below zero is a fact, and stating it correctly is the truth, but the reality of living through that winter includes not just the temperature but also the slippery roads, higher heating bills, and the worry about frozen pipes. In short, facts are building blocks of truth, and truth describes reality, but reality itself is the full picture of what actually is.

reality ↗truth ↗fact ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in reality
  • become a reality
  • face reality
  • escape from reality
  • in touch with reality
  • out of touch with reality

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Reality entered English in the mid-1500s through French réalité, which came from Late Latin realitas ('thing-ness, actual existence'). The Latin root res means 'thing, matter, affair'. The core idea has stayed the same for nearly 500 years: the state of being a real thing, not a dream or invention. The television genre sense appeared in the late 1990s with the rise of unscripted popular shows like Survivor and Big Brother.