Real vs Reality: What’s the Difference?

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Real vs reality is a simple mix-up with a simple fix: the two words do different jobs in a sentence. One describes things, and the other names an idea. This guide shows how each word works, where people go wrong, and how to remember the difference for good.

What does real mean?

Real means genuine or actually existing. It describes a noun, so it usually sits right before the thing it describes (“a real friend,” “real leather”) or after a linking verb (“the pain was real”).

The word comes from the Latin root for “thing,” which is a handy clue: a real thing is a thing that actually exists.

What does reality mean?

Reality means the way things actually are, as opposed to how they look, sound, or how we wish they were. It is a noun, so it names an idea and can be the subject of a sentence (“Reality set in”).

Its plural is “realities,” and you will often see it in phrases like “in reality,” “face reality,” and “virtual reality.”

Real vs reality: what is the key difference?

The key difference is part of speech: real describes, and reality names. Real is an adjective that tells you what kind of thing something is. Reality is a noun that stands for the whole idea of what is actually true.

• Real: “Those are real flowers.” (describes the flowers)
• Reality: “The reality is that the flowers are fake.” (names the truth)

Can real be used as an adverb?

Yes, but only informally. In casual American speech, people say “real quick” or “real good,” where “real” means “very.” In formal writing, use “really” instead: “really quick,” “really good.”

What does “in reality” mean?

“In reality” means in actual fact, and it usually contrasts with what was expected or claimed. For example: “The trip looked cheap online, but in reality it cost twice as much.”

How can you remember which one to use?

Ask whether you are describing something or naming an idea. The memory tricks below make it automatic.

Common mistakes

• ✗ It was a reality good movie.
  ✓ It was a really good movie.
• ✗ The real of the situation is serious.
  ✓ The reality of the situation is serious.
• ✗ Is that a reality diamond?
  ✓ Is that a real diamond?
• ✗ She runs a reality company that lists homes.
  ✓ She runs a realty company that lists homes.
• ✗ He finally faced real.
  ✓ He finally faced reality.

Memory tricks

• Describe vs name: real describes things, reality names an idea.
• The “very” test: “very real” works, but “very reality” does not.
• The -ity ending: adding “-ity” turns many adjectives into nouns, like active to activity and real to reality.

FAQ

Is reality the same as real?

No. Real is an adjective that describes something genuine, while reality is a noun that names the state of things as they actually are.

Is real a noun?

Real is mainly an adjective. In casual American speech it is also used as an adverb, as in “real quick,” but formal writing prefers “really.”

What is the plural of reality?

The plural of reality is realities, as in “the harsh realities of life.”

What does “in reality” mean?

It means in actual fact, and it is often used to contrast what is true with what was expected or claimed.

What is the difference between reality and realty?

Reality means the way things actually are, while realty is another word for real estate. They are spelled and pronounced differently.

Conclusion

When it comes to real vs reality, remember that real describes and reality names. Use “real” for genuine things, “reality” for the state of things as they are, and “really” when you mean “very.” Share this with someone who mixes these up.