Realty vs Reality Quiz: Test Yourself
Five quick questions on realty vs reality. Pick an answer to get instant feedback.
Flip Cards: Quick Review
Hover over a card, or tap it on mobile, to see the meaning.
Real estate: land and the buildings on it.
“She works for a realty company.”
The way things actually are, not how we imagine them.
“It’s time to face reality.”
A TV genre built around real people and situations. Always spelled with reality.
“They binge-watch reality TV.”
A trademarked title for members of the National Association of Realtors.
“Our Realtor showed us three homes.”
People mix up realty vs reality because the words sound alike and differ by a single letter. They also share an ancestor: in the mid-1400s, realty was an older form of the word reality. Today the two have split into very different jobs, and the choice is simple once you know them.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realty | Real estate; land and buildings | Noun | The realty company listed the house on Friday. |
| Reality | The state of things as they actually exist | Noun | He had to face reality and rewrite the budget. |
| Reality TV | A television genre based on real people and situations | Noun phrase | She loves a good reality TV show. |
| Realtor | A real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of Realtors | Trademarked proper noun | Our Realtor showed us three homes. |
What does realty mean?
Realty means real estate: land together with the buildings and other fixed structures on it. It is a property and business word.
You see it in phrases such as realty company, realty market and realty investment, and in business names like Sunrise Realty. For example: “The realty firm specializes in commercial buildings.”
What does reality mean?
Reality means the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to how they might be imagined, hoped for or pretended. It covers everything from facts to hard truths.
It appears in everyday phrases like “face reality,” “reality check” and “virtual reality,” and in the genre name reality TV, which has been recorded in English since 1991. For example: “The reality of the situation is more complicated than we thought.”
What is the difference between realty vs reality?
The difference is subject matter. Realty is about property you can own, such as land and buildings. Reality is about what is true or real, and it works in almost any topic.
A quick test: if you can swap in “real estate,” write realty. If you can swap in “the truth” or “the way things really are,” write reality. Most of the time, writers want reality.
Is realty a real word?
Yes. Realty is a standard dictionary noun meaning real estate. It is just less common in everyday speech, where real estate is the usual term.
Both words come from Old French and Medieval Latin realitas, from Late Latin realis, meaning “actual.” In the mid-1400s realty meant reality, then by the 1540s it also meant a real possession, and by the 1660s it meant real estate. That is how one word became two.
Is Realtor the same as realty?
No. Realty is a general word for real estate. Realtor is a registered trademark for real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of Realtors, so it is always capitalized.
Every Realtor is a licensed agent or broker, but not every agent is a Realtor. Use Realtor only when someone actually holds that membership.
How can you remember which one to use?
Ask what the sentence is about. If it is about land, houses or a property company, use realty. If it is about truth, facts or how things really are, use reality.
Common Mistakes
- ✗ You need to face realty.
✓ You need to face reality. - ✗ She works for a reality company that lists homes.
✓ She works for a realty company that lists homes. - ✗ I love watching realty TV.
✓ I love watching reality TV. - ✗ A reality sign stood in the front yard.
✓ A realty sign stood in the front yard. - ✗ Every real estate agent is a Realtor.
✓ Only members of the National Association of Realtors can use the title Realtor.
Memory Tricks
- The swap test. If “real estate” fits, use realty. If “the truth” fits, use reality.
- The extra I. Reality has an extra “i,” and “I” have to face reality.
- Short for short list. Realty is the shorter word with the narrower job: land and buildings only.
FAQ
Is realty the same as reality?
No. Realty means real estate: land and the buildings on it. Reality means the way things actually are.
Is realty a real word?
Yes. Realty is a standard noun meaning real estate, though real estate is the more everyday term and realty mostly appears in formal writing and business names.
Where does the word realty come from?
Realty comes from Old French and Medieval Latin realitas, from Late Latin realis, meaning actual. In the mid-1400s it meant reality, and by the 1660s it meant real estate.
What is the difference between a Realtor and realty?
Realty is a general word for real estate. Realtor is a registered trademark for real estate professionals who belong to the National Association of Realtors, so it is always capitalized.
When did the term reality TV appear?
The term reality television is recorded in English from 1991.
Conclusion
When it comes to realty vs reality, remember the swap test: realty means real estate, and reality means the way things really are. Share this with someone who mixes these up, and send them to the quiz at the top.