1the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them:he refuses to face realityLaura was losing touch with reality
[count noun] a thing that is actually experienced or seen, especially when this is unpleasant:the harsh realities of life in a farming community
[count noun] a thing that exists in fact, having previously only existed in one’s mind:we want to make the dream a reality
the quality of being lifelike:the reality of Marryat’s detail
[as modifier] relating to reality TV:a reality show
2the state or quality of having existence or substance:youth, when death has no reality
Philosophy existence that is absolute, self-sufficient, or objective, and not subject to human decisions or conventions.
in reality
in actual fact (used to contrast a false idea of what is true or possible with one that is more accurate):she had believed she could control these feelings, but in reality that was not so easy
the reality is ——
used to assert that the truth of a matter is not what one would think or expect:the popular view of the Dobermann is of an aggressive guard dog—the reality is very different
