ENGLISH
REFERENCE

surreal

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //sɝˈiɫ// UK //səɹˈiəl// sur·re·al

adj. having a strange, dream-like quality that feels impossible or unreal. You use it to describe situations where things are mixed together in a way that does not make sense.

adj. characterised by a bizarre or dream-like quality, often involving the juxtaposition of illogical or irrational elements. Frequently describes experiences that feel disconnected from reality.


SIMPLE

Walking through the empty city at night felt completely surreal.

CONTEXTUAL

It was surreal to see my childhood teacher at a heavy metal concert in another country.

COMPLEX

The film uses surreal imagery, such as clocks melting over tree branches, to represent the protagonist's deteriorating sense of time and memory.

Synonyms
Origin

A back-formation from surrealism, equivalent to sur- + real.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'feel', 'seem', or 'become'.

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