adj
Uncommon
unreal
uhn-REE-uhl
Unreal (adj) means not real; existing only in imagination or seeming to lack the solidity of reality. Example: “The whole event felt unreal, like a dream.”
adj
1
Not real; existing only in imagination or seeming to lack the solidity of reality.
"The whole event felt unreal, like a dream."
"Special effects gave the film an unreal, dreamlike quality."
2
(informal) Extremely impressive or hard to believe.
"That comeback in the final minute was unreal."
"The view from the summit was absolutely unreal."
How to use unreal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot grounded in reality — or, informally, so impressive it barely seems real.
When to use it
The "amazing" sense is casual and conversational, common in speech rather than formal writing.
Common pairings
feel unreal
seem unreal
totally unreal
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like unreal.
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
- Comparative
- more unreal
- Superlative
- most unreal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whole event felt _____, like a dream.
Etymology
From un- ("not") plus real.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unreal
See all rhymes for unreal →Frequently asked questions
What does “unreal” mean?
The word “unreal” means not real; existing only in imagination or seeming to lack the solidity of reality. In plain terms, not grounded in reality — or, informally, so impressive it barely seems real.
How do you pronounce “unreal”?
“Unreal” is pronounced uhn-REE-uhl (/ʌnˈɹi.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unreal” in a sentence?
Here is “unreal” used in a sentence: “The whole event felt unreal, like a dream.”
What is another word for “unreal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “unreal” include insubstantial.
What is the opposite of “unreal”?
The opposite of “unreal” — its antonyms — is real.
What part of speech is “unreal”?
“Unreal” is an adjective.
Is “unreal” a common word?
“Unreal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “unreal” have?
“Unreal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not real; existing only in imagination or seeming to lack the solidity of reality.
What is the difference between unreal and surreal?
Unreal describes something that lacks the solidity of reality or exists only in imagination, while surreal specifically describes something bizarre or dreamlike in a way that feels disconnected from ordinary reality. Surreal often carries an artistic or strange quality that plain unreal does not necessarily imply.
How is unreal used informally to mean impressive?
In informal speech, unreal is often used to describe something so impressive or extreme it seems hard to believe, such as 'that goal was unreal.' This casual sense is essentially a form of exaggeration rather than a literal claim about reality.
Is unreal formal or informal?
The literal sense of unreal, meaning not real or lacking solidity, is neutral and usable in formal writing, but the sense meaning extremely impressive is informal and mainly used in casual speech.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include unreal:
