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noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

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 notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who is practical and clear-eyed about how things really are.

Easily confused with

Word forms

realists plural

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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."

real-worlder

Antonyms

idealist fantasist Cloudcuckoolander

Related words

Rhymes for realist

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial