realism
REE-uh-lih-zuhm
Realism (noun) means a practical, level-headed way of seeing the world, focused on facts rather than wishful thinking. Example: “His realism made him a valuable voice in the planning meetings.”
noun
1
A practical, level-headed way of seeing the world, focused on facts rather than wishful thinking.
"His realism made him a valuable voice in the planning meetings."
"Her realism kept the team from promising more than they could deliver."
"With cool realism, he admitted that the business might not survive another winter."
2
An artistic style that aims to depict people, objects, and life as they truly appear.
"The painter was known for the striking realism of his portraits."
"The novel is praised for its realism, showing ordinary working life without any glamour."
"In art class we compared the realism of a landscape with a dreamy abstract painting."
How to use realism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn approach, in life or in art, that sticks closely to how things actually are rather than how we might imagine or wish them to be.
Common pairings
a dose of realism
artistic realism
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like realism.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- realisms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ made him a valuable voice in the planning meetings.
Etymology
From "real" plus the suffix "-ism."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for realism
fatalism
idealism
globalism
socialism
vandalism
federalism
radicalism
capitalism
liberalism
surrealism
journalism
materialism
See all rhymes for realism →
Frequently asked questions
What does “realism” mean?
The word “realism” means a practical, level-headed way of seeing the world, focused on facts rather than wishful thinking. In plain terms, an approach, in life or in art, that sticks closely to how things actually are rather than how we might imagine or wish them to be.
How do you pronounce “realism”?
“Realism” is pronounced REE-uh-lih-zuhm (/ˈɹi.əlɪzəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “realism” in a sentence?
Here is “realism” used in a sentence: “His realism made him a valuable voice in the planning meetings.”
What is the opposite of “realism”?
The opposite of “realism” — its antonyms — are nominalism and antirealism.
What part of speech is “realism”?
“Realism” is a noun.
Is “realism” a common word?
“Realism” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “realism” have?
“Realism” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a practical, level-headed way of seeing the world, focused on facts rather than wishful thinking.
What is the difference between realism and idealism?
Realism means seeing and dealing with the world as it actually is, based on facts rather than how you wish things were. Idealism, by contrast, focuses on ideal or perfect outcomes and can involve prioritizing principles or hopes over practical constraints. A realist plans around what is likely to happen; an idealist plans around what should happen.
How does realism differ from pessimism?
Realism is about accurately assessing facts and probabilities, whether the outlook is good or bad, while pessimism is a tendency to expect the worst regardless of the evidence. A realistic view can be optimistic if the facts support it. People sometimes mislabel gloomy predictions as realism when they are really just pessimism.
What does realism mean in art?
In art, realism refers to a style that depicts people, objects, and scenes as they truly appear, without idealizing or stylizing them. It emerged as a reaction against romanticized or exaggerated depictions in earlier art movements. Realist painters and writers aimed to show ordinary life accurately, including its plain or unglamorous details.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include realism:
