true; not merely ostensible, nominal, or apparent

the real reason for an act.

existing or occurring as fact; actual rather than imaginary, ideal, or fictitious

a story taken from real life.

being an actual thing; having objective existence; not imaginary

The events you will see in the film are real and not just made up.

being actually such; not merely so-called

a real victory.

genuine; not counterfeit, artificial, or imitation; authentic

a real antique; a real diamond; real silk.

unfeigned or sincere

real sympathy; a real friend.

Informal . absolute; complete; utter

She's a real brain.

Philosophy .

existent or pertaining to the existent as opposed to the nonexistent.

actual as opposed to possible or potential.

independent of experience as opposed to phenomenal or apparent.

(of money, income, or the like) measured in purchasing power rather than in nominal value

Inflation has driven income down in real terms, though nominal income appears to be higher.

Optics . (of an image) formed by the actual convergence of rays, as the image produced in a camera ( opposed to virtual ).

Mathematics .

of, pertaining to, or having the value of a real number.

using real numbers

real analysis; real vector space.

Informal . very or extremely

You did a real nice job painting the house.

real number.

the real,

something that actually exists, as a particular quantity.

reality in general. ?

for real

Informal .

in reality; actually

You mean she dyed her hair green for real?

real; actual

The company's plans to relocate are for real.

genuine; sincere

I don't believe his friendly attitude is for real.

adjective

dishonest , fake , false , feigned , imaginary , invalid , untrue , artificial , fictitious , ostensible , sham , spurious , unreal

adjective

absolute , actual , authentic , bodily , bona fide , certain , concrete , corporal , corporeal , de facto , embodied , essential , evident , existent , existing , factual , firm , heartfelt , honest , incarnate , indubitable , in the flesh , intrinsic , irrefutable , legitimate , live , material , original , palpable , perceptible , physical , positive , present , right , rightful , sensible , sincere , solid , sound , stable , substantial , substantive , tangible , true , unaffected , undeniable , undoubted , unfeigned , valid , veritable , objective , genuine , good , unquestionable , hearty , natural , unmannered , actually , being , definitive , demonstrable , disembodied , incorporeal , in fact , inherent , literal , naturalistic , official , practical , pure , realistic , representational , serious , unromantic , verisimilar , viable