B2adjective2K

Realistic

UK /["/ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk//ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk/"]/US /["/ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk/"]/

Definition

accepting in a sensible way what it is actually possible to do or achieve in a particular situation

In simple words: Something that is true to life and believable.

Examples

  • The movie presented a realistic portrayal of life in the city.
  • For the project, we need a realistic budget that considers all potential expenses.
  • Her expectations for the job were not realistic given her experience level.
  • The artist focused on creating realistic images that captured the essence of the subject.
  • It's important to set realistic goals to avoid disappointment.

Usage notes

Use 'realistic' to describe expectations, art, or situations that seem genuine. It's appropriate for both casual and professional contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think 'real'-istic; imagine a real scene or scenario that feels true.

Collocations

  • be
  • seem
  • keep something
  • extremely
  • very
  • fairly
  • about
  • in
  • it is not realistic to expect, think, etc. something
  • be
  • seem
  • keep something
  • extremely
  • very
  • fairly
  • about
  • in
  • it is not realistic to expect, think, etc. something
  • appear
  • be
  • look
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very

Synonyms

  • feasible, viable

Antonyms

  • unrealistic
  • impractical
  • fanciful

Common mistakes

  • Confuse with 'real' when describing something that exists rather than its believability.
  • Use incorrectly in exaggerated contexts, e.g., saying a fantasy movie is 'realistic'.
  • Misapply it to personal feelings instead of situations or representations.