# realistic

/ˌɹiəˈɫɪstɪk/ (US) · /ɹiəlˈɪstɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/realistic
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. sensible and achievable

adjective · CEFR B2

accepting things as they are and not making plans that are impossible to achieve.

For teachers: having or showing a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or expected.

- We need to be realistic about how much work we can finish today.
- The board urged the department heads to set realistic targets for the next quarter, rather than relying on overly optimistic growth projections.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'about'.

### 2. looking like real life

adjective · CEFR B2

showing things exactly as they look in real life, especially in art, films, or games.

For teachers: representing objects, actions, or social conditions as they actually are without idealisation.

- The video game has very realistic graphics that make the forest look real.
- The novelist was praised for her realistic portrayal of working-class life in the industrial north during the late nineteenth century.

## Examples

- We need to set a realistic deadline for this project.
- The director insisted on using practical effects to ensure the film's action sequences looked as realistic as possible.
- While the initial proposal was ambitious, the board requested a more realistic assessment of the potential risks and financial requirements before approving the expansion.

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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.