Basic Details
Word: Reality
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The way things truly are, rather than how you imagine or wish them to be.
Synonyms: truth, fact, actuality
Antonyms: fantasy, illusion, imagination, dream
Word origin: From Latin realis, from res, thing.
How to Spell Reality
Syllables: re - al - i - ty
Tricky part: There is just one l, because the word is real plus ity. Students sometimes write reallity or realety.
Watch out for: reallity, realety, relity
Memory tip: Reality is real plus ity. What is real is reality.
Idioms and Phrases
- reality check: something that makes you see a situation as it truly is Example: "Failing the mock test was a reality check for Rohan."
Usage Examples
Example 1: In reality, the trip took twice as long as we had planned.
Example 2: Her dream of becoming a pilot is now close to becoming a reality.
Example 3: Films can make space travel look easy, but the reality is very different.
Fun Fact
Virtual reality headsets show a slightly different picture to each eye, which tricks the brain into seeing depth.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Only one of these words takes the suffix ity. Choose it:
ity
a) real
b) kind
c) green
d) slow
Show answer
a) real. Real becomes reality; there are no words kindity, slowity or greenity.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word reality as used in the sentence:
After the holidays, the reality of exams and early mornings returned.
a) actuality
b) fantasy
c) fact
d) truth
Show answer
b) fantasy. Truth, fact and actuality sit on the same side as reality; fantasy is make-believe.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Many people dream of living on Mars one day, but scientists say that the realety is that we cannot do it for a very long time.
a) living
b) realety
c) people
d) scientists
Show answer
b) realety. The ending is ity, as in city; realety uses an e there.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Someone who is out of touch with reality ____.
a) has no mobile phone signal
b) lives far from any town
c) is always on time
d) does not see things as they really are
Show answer
d) does not see things as they really are
2. If a plan becomes a reality, it ____.
a) actually happens
b) is cancelled
c) is written down
d) is kept secret
Show answer
a) actually happens
