realistic

[ree-uh-lis-tik]

adjective

1. interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical.

   a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.

   Synonyms: sensible, hardheaded, common-sense, pragmatic

2. pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or art of things as they really are.

   a realistic novel.

3. resembling or simulating real life.

   a duck hunter skilled at making realistic decoys.

4. Philosophy.,  of or relating to realists or realism.

realistic

/ ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk /

adjective

1. showing awareness and acceptance of reality

2. practical or pragmatic rather than ideal or moral

3. (of a book, film, etc) depicting or emphasizing what is real and actual rather than abstract or ideal

4. of or relating to philosophical realism

Other Word Forms

• realistically adverb
• antirealistic adjective
• antirealistically adverb
• hyperrealistic adjective
• nonrealistic adjective
• nonrealistically adverb
• overrealistic adjective
• overrealistically adverb
• prorealistic adjective
• pseudorealistic adjective
• quasi-realistic adjective
• quasi-realistically adverb
• semirealistic adjective
• semirealistically adverb
• ultrarealistic adjective
• unrealistic adjective
• unrealistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of realistic¹

First recorded in 1855–60; realist + -ic

Example Sentences

Having to face qualifying remains a realistic threat.

From BBC

If Wales are to have a realistic chance of staying top, they need to win all three of their remaining matches and hope Belgium drop points more than once, not just in Cardiff.

From BBC

If you’re going to be very realistic and relatable, the stakes in people’s stories are mostly romantic because most people don’t battle aliens to save the world or whatever.

From Los Angeles Times

The court was told a review by the Crown Prosecution Service found there was no realistic prospect of conviction, because it could not be proved the defendant had been dishonest when he took the flowers.

From BBC

Two years later it was closed, with the force concluding there was "insufficient evidence to support a realistic prospect of conviction".

From BBC

Related Words

• businesslike 
• down-to-earth 
• practical 
• pragmatic 
• prudent 
• rational 
• real 
• reasonable 
• sane 
• sensible 
• sober