Real Main Entry: 1re·al Pronunciation: \ˈrē(-ə)l\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, real, relating to things (in law), from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin & Late Latin; Medieval Latin realis relating to things (in law), from Late Latin, real, from Latin res thing, fact; akin to Sanskrit rayi property Date: 14th century 1 : of or relating to fixed, permanent, or immovable things (as lands or tenements) 2 a : not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory : genuine ; also : being precisely what the name implies b (1) : occurring or existing in actuality (2) : of or relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities (3) : existing as a physical entity and having properties that deviate from an ideal, law, or standard — compare ideal 3b c : having objective independent existence d : fundamental, essential e (1) : belonging to or having elements or components that belong to the set of real numbers (2) : concerned with or containing real numbers (3) : real-valued f : measured by purchasing power g : complete, utter 3 of a particle : capable of being detected — compare virtual 3— re·al·ness noun — for real 1 : in earnest : seriously 2 : genuine 3 : genuinely good or capable of success (as in competition)