adj
Uncommon
surreal
suh-REEL
Surreal (adj) means Strange and dreamlike, in a way that feels unreal or bizarre. Example: “Standing on the empty street at 3am felt completely surreal.”
adj
1
Strange and dreamlike, in a way that feels unreal or bizarre.
"Standing on the empty street at 3am felt completely surreal."
"The painting had a surreal quality, with melting shapes and impossible angles."
How to use surreal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo strange or dreamlike it barely feels real.
Common pairings
a surreal experience
surreal imagery
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Word forms
- Plural
- surreals
- Comparative
- more surreal
- Superlative
- most surreal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Standing on the empty street at 3am felt completely _____.
Etymology
A back-formation from "surrealism", built from sur- ("beyond") + "real".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for surreal
See all rhymes for surreal →Frequently asked questions
What does “surreal” mean?
The word “surreal” means strange and dreamlike, in a way that feels unreal or bizarre. In plain terms, so strange or dreamlike it barely feels real.
How do you pronounce “surreal”?
“Surreal” is pronounced suh-REEL (/səˈɹiː(.ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “surreal” in a sentence?
Here is “surreal” used in a sentence: “Standing on the empty street at 3am felt completely surreal.”
What part of speech is “surreal”?
“Surreal” is an adjective.
Is “surreal” a common word?
“Surreal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between surreal and unreal?
Surreal describes something strange and dreamlike that feels unreal or bizarre, often because it defies normal logic or expectation. Unreal is broader and can simply mean not real or not believable, without necessarily carrying the dreamlike, disorienting quality that surreal implies. Surreal is often used to describe an atmosphere or experience, while unreal can describe almost anything considered implausible.
When would you describe an experience as surreal?
Surreal is typically used when an experience feels strange and dreamlike in a way that seems disconnected from ordinary reality, such as an unexpected or overwhelming event. It suggests the moment felt too bizarre or dislocating to seem fully real.
Is surreal a formal or informal word?
Surreal is used in both everyday conversation and more formal writing, including art criticism, where it originally described a style depicting dreamlike, illogical imagery. It fits naturally in both casual and literary contexts.
