real

Everyday

1. Existing in fact, not imagined: «Dragons are not real.» tree →
2. True, not fake: «real gold». tree →
3. Actual, true: «the real reason». tree →
4. Used to make something stronger: «a real friend». tree →
5. In maths, real numbers are all the numbers on the number line. tree →
6. (casual, US) «Real» means very: «real good», «real quick». tree →
7. (casual, slang) «For real?» asks are you serious; «keep it real» means be honest, be yourself; «get real» means be sensible, stop dreaming. tree →
8. (rough) «A real pain» or «a real idiot» makes an insult stronger. tree →
9. (formal) «Actual», «genuine», «authentic» and «tangible» are stiff words for real. tree →
10. In a story, to be "Real" means to have become a true, living friend through being loved. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and reading, pupils sort real from make-believe (fiction versus non-fiction). In everyday life and safety: online, people may not be who they say they are — not everything is real. In maths: real-life problems use real situations. In casual talk: «for real», «real quick». In the exam voice: «the actual cost», «a genuine article», «authentic». Phrases: for real, real life, the real thing, real-world, get real.

Examples

• Is that a real dinosaur bone? tree →
• Unicorns are not real. tree →
• This ring is made of real silver. tree →
• What is the real reason you're late? tree →
• She is a real friend. tree →
• Use maths to solve real-life problems. tree →
• The pictures online may not be real. tree →
• Is this for real? tree →
• brb real quick, getting 2 more chairs (casual) tree →
• Get real, you can't run 50 km in an hour. (rough) tree →
• You're a real pain, you know that? (rough) tree →
• Determine the actual expenditure, given that the advertised price of 20 dollars is reduced by 5. (formal exam) tree →
• "I am Real!" said the little Rabbit. tree →

Note

«Real» sounds like «reel» (a spool for thread or fishing line) — homophones. Adverb is «really». Saying «real good» is informal; in writing use «really good». Formal «actual» = real; «the actual cost» is the cost after any change. Trap: «real» and «get real» do not change a number. Safety: a «real» photo or message online may be fake.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and reading, pupils sort real from make-believe (fiction versus non-fiction). In everyday life and safety: online, people may not be who they say they are — not everything is real. In maths: real-life problems use real situations. In casual talk: «for real», «real quick». In the exam voice: «the actual cost», «a genuine article», «authentic». Phrases: for real, real life, the real thing, real-world, get real.

Examples

• D., remarked very truly in his German preface to the book "Yezirah," published in Leipzig, 1830: "This book is for two reasons highly important: in the first place, that the real Cabala, or mystical (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

«Real» sounds like «reel» (a spool for thread or fishing line) — homophones. Adverb is «really». Saying «real good» is informal; in writing use «really good». Formal «actual» = real; «the actual cost» is the cost after any change. Trap: «real» and «get real» do not change a number. Safety: a «real» photo or message online may be fake.