Skip to main content

realistic — having or showing a practical understanding of what is possible and achievable

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: having or showing a practical understanding of what is possible and achievable

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈriːəlɪstɪk/

Example Sentences

  • My mom's realistic advice: 'You can't eat your cake and have it too, unless you bake two cakes!'
  • Be realistic - you can't learn English in a day, but you can definitely learn one word perfectly.
  • The video game was so realistic that I tried to pause real life when my mom called me for dinner.

realistic

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈriːəlɪstɪk/]

having or showing a practical understanding of what is possible and achievable

The architect created a realistic model of the new building.
💡 Concept

The architect created a realistic model of the new building.

The scientist proposed a realistic solution to the problem. (🌍 Real + ✅ Possible → Realistic)
🧠 Mnemonic

The scientist proposed a realistic solution to the problem. (🌍 Real + ✅ Possible → Realistic)

The realistic painting looked artistic and left everyone optimistic about the young painter's future.
🎵 Rhyme

The realistic painting looked artistic and left everyone optimistic about the young painter's future.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

Start FreeDemo

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈriːəlɪstɪk/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk/

🌳Etymology

Rootreal
Suffix--istic

Origin

The word 'realistic' emerged in the 17th century from the combination of 'real' (derived from Latin realis, meaning 'actual' or 'relating to things') and the suffix '-istic' (denoting characteristic or nature). It developed primarily in artistic contexts to express the philosophy of realism, emphasizing accurate representation of reality.

Breakdown

real (from Latin realis, meaning actual or relating to things) + -istic (suffix meaning characterized by or relating to), forming 'realistic' to mean 'characterized by or relating to reality'.

🎵Rhyme

artisticoptimisticcharacteristic
artistic
optimistic
characteristic

🔗Collocations

realistic expectation
realistic goal
realistic approach
realistic assessment
realistic portrayal
be realistic about

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mom's realistic advice: 'You can't eat your cake and have it too, unless you bake two cakes!'”

“Be realistic - you can't learn English in a day, but you can definitely learn one word perfectly.”

😄 Fun example

“The video game was so realistic that I tried to pause real life when my mom called me for dinner.”

“It's not realistic to expect perfect weather for outdoor events in Korea.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

practicalachievablefeasiblesensiblereasonable

Antonyms

unrealisticimpracticalidealistic

Related

realityrealismrealisticallypragmatic

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.

Start for Free60s Demo