reality

noun

re·​al·​i·​ty rē-ˈa-lə-tē 

plural realities

1

: the quality or state of being real

2

a(1)

: a real event, entity, or state of affairs

his dream became a reality

(2)

: the totality of real things and events

trying to escape from reality

b

: something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

3

: television programming that features people (especially people who are not professional actors) dealing with real-life situations or participating in contrived activities (such as competitions)

I for one am rooting for anything that stems the rising tide of reality on television.

—Ted Cox

… it's a tough choice between The Voice and Dancing With the Stars. … If reality means nothing to you, then you're faced with a medical drama, a superhero drama and comedies.

—Chris Harnick

—usually used before another noun

reality stars

a reality series

reality shows

fans of reality TV/television

… critical judge Simon Cowell praised him as "the best magician ever" on the Britain's Got Talent reality competition.

—Markos Papadatos

The Arkansas native competing on the popular reality dating show The Bachelor has advanced to become one of only three remaining contestants.

—arkansasonline.com

… beat out 20,000 applicants to become one of 18 final contestants on Hell's Kitchen, the reality cooking show that banks on aspiring chefs' ambition (and vulnerabilities) and chef Gordon Ramsay's volatility.

—Sarah Reiss

Phrases

in reality

: in actual fact

Synonyms

• actuality
• case
• fact
• materiality

Examples of reality in a Sentence

the difference between fiction and reality

The reality is that we can't afford to buy a house.

He used television as an escape from reality.

They made the plan a reality.

Recent Examples on the Web

Howe has been attempting to do that, while all private soundings from the club have been consistent on that front, but that is not the same as a senior figure contemporaneously confirming the reality on the record. —Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025

There are also new seasons of Single’s Inferno, The Devil’s Plan and new reality shows Crime Scene Zero and Better Late Than Single are sure to become popular this year. —Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025

The competing show—which includes women of various reality shows—apparently mirrors everything from set design, fun challenges, the show’s font, to even the presence of Cannon as the host. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 4 Feb. 2025

No one is commenting but according to sources, the judge swap may have been a business decision as Klum commands one of the top salaries in reality TV. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reality

• augmented reality
• divorced from reality
• in reality
• losing his grip on reality
• lost touch with reality
• reality check
• reality shows
• reality TV/television
• virtual reality

Kids Definition

reality

noun

re·​al·​i·​ty rē-ˈal-ət-ē 

plural realities

1

: the quality or state of being real

2

: someone or something real or actual

our dream became a reality

3

: television programming that shows videos of actual occurrences (as police chases, stunts, or natural disasters)