# realist

/ˈɹiəɫɪst/ (US) · /ɹˈiəlɪst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/realist
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

someone who sees things as they really are, rather than how they wish they were. You are a realist if you focus on facts and practical results instead of dreams.

For teachers: a person who accepts a situation as it is and is prepared to deal with it accordingly. In art or literature, refers to a creator who aims to represent subjects as they appear in everyday life.

## Examples

- I am a realist, so I know this plan will take a long time.
- While the rest of the team hoped for a miracle, the realist in the group started looking for a backup plan.
- The author was a committed realist, populating her novels with gritty details of urban poverty that challenged the romanticised depictions common in the literature of her era.

## Usage notes

- Often contrasted with 'idealist' or 'dreamer'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.