Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
for real and for true

for real and for true

9.2
To show that something is really true and not a joke
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : de verdad
  • This time she's moving out, for real and for true.

Examples

  • Are you coming to the party, for real and for true, or are you joking?

  • He promised, for real and for true, he would never lie to her again.

  • Is this for real and for true?

  • I can't believe you did that, is it for real and for true?

  • He promised, for real and for true, to support her dreams no matter what.

  • Are you serious about your offer, for real and for true, or just teasing me?

  • This time I mean it, for real and for true, I'll follow through on my plans.

Synonyms

true
vsfor real and for true
∞ 1.0

Correct and in agreement with the facts

stresses full authenticity and heartfelt intention rather than mere factualness
genuine
vsfor real and for true
156 3.2

Truly felt and not fake, for example a smile or apology

emphasizes wholehearted authenticity more than just sincere feeling
real live
vsfor real and for true
  • Informal
25 3.9

Present in person and not imaginary

underscores complete sincerity and honest feeling rather than mere existence
honest-to-god
vsfor real and for true
  • Informal
1 7.9

Truly real and not fake

is more formal and stresses wholehearted sincerity rather than casual emphasis
sure-enough
vsfor real and for true
  • Informal
1 8.1

Clearly real and not fake to show you really mean it

conveys stronger wholehearted authenticity rather than casual assurance
legit
vsfor real and for true
  • Informal
1 8.5

To say that something is really true or serious

leans more on sincere wholeheartedness than slang for acceptability

Antonyms

for show
  • Informal
26 6.7

Made to impress people rather than to be useful

How Genuine

for real and for true
  • Informal
9.2
genuinely
216 2.5
apparently
∞ 2.8
for show
  • Informal
26 6.7

Surface Forms

for real and for true positive

Morphology

for + real + and + for + true

The phrase is built from the literal constituents 'for' + 'real' and 'for' + 'true', so its sense of being genuinely or sincerely is directly derivable from the parts; the repetition merely intensifies the meaning. Although colloquial and somewhat formulaic, the composition is transparent and a B1 learner who knows the individual words would readily infer the emphatic meaning.

Etymology

For real and for true comes from people joining two similar promises, for real and for true, to make their words sound extra honest. That's why it is used to mean 'completely genuine' or 'sincere'.