real

I UK [rɪəl] / US [rɪəl] adjective ***

1) existing in the physical world, not just in someone's imagination or in stories

Children believe that these characters are real.

She had many illnesses, both real and imaginary.

real live:

I had never met a real live pop star before.

2) not false or artificial

Is that a real diamond?

You'd pay more for real leather.

3)

a) used for emphasizing that someone or something has the true qualities of a particular type of person or thing

Few tourists see the real Spain.

He had no real friends.

b) informal complete: used for emphasizing that a description of someone or something is very accurate

You could tell the guy was a real nerd.

This walk is a real treat for anyone interested in birds.

4) [usually before noun] true and not just according to what someone claims

We all know the minister's real reason for refusing to speak.

Her real name is Jane Trent.

5) [usually before noun] important or impressive enough to be worth considering or worrying about

The committee had little real power.

The journey was difficult, but we were never in any real danger.

6) most important

The real problem is toxic waste and oil slicks.

7) something in a book, film etc that is real seems so much like life that you almost believe it exists

The battle scenes are frighteningly real.

8) [only before noun] a real amount or number is one that you get after considering everything that could affect its value

Real economic growth was measured at 4.5%.

real wages (= the true value of wages):

Both prices and wages are rising, leaving real wages unchanged.

•

- for real

- get real

- in real terms

- the real thing

II UK [rɪəl] / US [rɪəl] adverb American spoken

extremely

Could this wait? I'm real tired.