the real thing
noun
: something that is genuine and not a copy or imitation : something that is truly valuable or important
The diamond turned out to be the real thing.
You've done very well in your training. Let's just hope you're ready for the real thing.
Examples of the real thing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The material is a high-quality PU vegan leather that looks like the real thing, while the hardware looks equally expensive.
—
Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
The International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR) reports that the nonalcoholic industry grew in the United States by nearly 30 percent between 2022 and 2023, while sales of the real thing fell worldwide with the U.S. spirits market slumping by 2 percent.
—Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 9 Jan. 2025
Surgeons often resort to transferring cartilage from the rib, which is stiff, or using silicone implants, with neither material matching the real thing.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 9 Jan. 2025
On the opposite end of reality, 2025 promises AI generated content that’s basically indistinguishable from the real thing.
—Amy Sterling, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the real thing 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025
The International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR) reports that the nonalcoholic industry grew in the United States by nearly 30 percent between 2022 and 2023, while sales of the real thing fell worldwide with the U.S. spirits market slumping by 2 percent.
—Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 9 Jan. 2025
Surgeons often resort to transferring cartilage from the rib, which is stiff, or using silicone implants, with neither material matching the real thing.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 9 Jan. 2025
On the opposite end of reality, 2025 promises AI generated content that’s basically indistinguishable from the real thing.
—Amy Sterling, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the real thing
Dictionary Entries Near the real thing
Cite this Entry
“The real thing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20real%20thing. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share