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Glite Dictionary
in reality

in reality

190 3.3
Shows what is true rather than how things appear
  • idiom
translation icon : en realidad
  • Many people believe that success comes easily, but in reality, it often requires hard work and dedication.
  • in reality, however
  • grounded in reality
  • largely in reality

Did that in science fiction or in reality in, in any way?

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Examples

  • Now, it might seem simple, but in reality, there are some serious risks.

  • So this was a nice suggestion, but in reality, it does not work.

  • Does that negative feeling exist in reality, or is it only inside you?

  • But former prosecutors and other experts say that in reality, the process is not that simple.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Jon and Cat thought it was all so simple, but in reality her life was rather complicated.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • That sounds good, but in reality, it doesn't typically play out that way.

  • But in reality, they govern themselves.

    Starsky & Hutch (2004)

  • The basic idea may sound reasonable, but in reality it did not quite work as envisioned.

    Academic text (2011)

  • However, many practicing elementary music teachers will admit that, in reality, this is not the case.

    Academic text (1990)

  • But I think in reality we strive for objectivity.

Synonyms

actually
vsin reality
∞ 1.0

To show that something is really true even if surprising

expresses the true situation but without focus on surprise or shock
in fact
vsin reality
∞ 1.0

Shows that something is true, often when it is different from what was said

focuses on the true situation opposed to what appears or is assumed
as it is
vsin reality
376 3.7

In the current situation, especially when things are different from what was expected

refers to the true state rather than imagined or assumed appearances
in effect
vsin reality
258 3.7

Works in practice even if not official

points to the real situation contrasted with what people might assume
in truth
vsin reality
84 3.8

Actually, what is said is true even if people think otherwise

highlights the actual situation especially when it differs from assumptions
in point of fact
vsin reality
6 5.6

Shows that something is true despite what people thought

is used to stress the actual situation rather than the assumed one

Antonyms

illusion
319 4.6

A false idea or appearance that makes you think something is true

How True

in reality
190 3.3
in fact
∞ 1.0
apparently
∞ 2.8

Surface Forms

in reality positive
in real life positive

Morphology

in + reality

The phrase 'in reality' is directly interpretable from 'in' (inside/within) + 'reality' (what is real), yielding the sense 'in truth' or 'actually' that contrasts with appearance. This compositional preposition + noun pattern is common across languages (e.g. Spanish 'en realidad', French 'en réalité'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

In reality comes from the simple picture of a stage: what you see on stage is only the show, while behind the curtain is what really happens. The part in means 'inside' and reality means the real situation, so in reality is used to say the 'true' situation, not what first appears.