realist
REER-lihst
Realist (noun) means a person who sees and deals with situations as they actually are, rather than how they might wish them to be. Example: “She's a realist and doesn't expect miracles.”
noun
1
A person who sees and deals with situations as they actually are, rather than how they might wish them to be.
"She's a realist and doesn't expect miracles."
2
An artist who portrays subjects accurately and true to life.
"The gallery is showing works by several 19th-century realists."
How to use realist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who is practical and clear-eyed about how things really are.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like realist.
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
- realists
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She's a _____ and doesn't expect miracles.
Etymology
From "real" plus the agent suffix "-ist."
Synonyms
View more →
real-worlder
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for realist
vocalist
idealist
finalist
loyalist
medalist
socialist
herbalist
mentalist
capitalist
journalist
specialist
naturalist
See all rhymes for realist →
Frequently asked questions
What does “realist” mean?
The word “realist” means a person who sees and deals with situations as they actually are, rather than how they might wish them to be. In plain terms, someone who is practical and clear-eyed about how things really are.
How do you pronounce “realist”?
“Realist” is pronounced REER-lihst (/ˈɹɪəlɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “realist” in a sentence?
Here is “realist” used in a sentence: “She's a realist and doesn't expect miracles.”
What is another word for “realist”?
Words with a similar meaning to “realist” include real-worlder.
What is the opposite of “realist”?
The opposite of “realist” — its antonyms — are idealist, fantasist and Cloudcuckoolander.
What part of speech is “realist”?
“Realist” is a noun.
Is “realist” a common word?
“Realist” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “realist” have?
“Realist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who sees and deals with situations as they actually are, rather than how they might wish them to be.
