Words / B2

ree-AL-uh-tee/riˈæləti/

Reality is how things actually are: in reality; a reality check. Real is the adjective (already in the dictionary); realism is an art/literature style. The prospectus is not the reality of contact hours. Uncountable in this sense. Mix-up: realty is US legal language for property.

Meaning

The way things actually are, not how they are imagined.

Examples

• “The prospectus is not the reality of sixth-form contact hours.”
• “In reality the sample was a volunteer group, which is the methods sense.”

Good to know

in reality; the reality of + noun; a reality check. Adjective: real. Uncountable. Evaluations and news. Actual situation, not a hope.

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