What does unreal mean?
Unreal is an adjective describing something that does not exist in fact, or exists only in imagination, fiction, hypothesis, or supposition. It is often used for places, events, experiences, and possibilities that seem too strange or extraordinary to be real. The word can also carry a figurative sense of being astonishingly good, intense, or impressive, especially in informal conversation: a performance or achievement may be called “unreal” when it is exceptionally impressive. This second sense is expressive rather than strictly literal, so it is less common in formal writing. Unreal differs from unrealistic: the latter means that something is impractical, excessive, or unlikely to happen, whereas unreal primarily means that something is not real, though both words can be used in similar contexts. The word is particularly useful when describing a scene or experience that is vivid enough to seem true despite being invented or imagined.
adjectiveNot real, existing only in imagination, imagination, or supposition. In informal use, unreal can also mean so extraordinary or impressive that it seems almost impossible.
- Not real; existing only in imagination, fiction, or supposition.
- Informally, so extraordinary, impressive, or intense that it seems unreal.
"The world of the novel is so vividly described that its imaginary cities begin to feel unreal."
"Her success felt unreal after years of struggle."
"That final performance was unreal; I still cannot believe how well they played."
One word can change its emotional temperature: unreal can describe a fantasy, or informally praise something so astonishingly good that it seems impossible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unreal come from?
Unreal was formed in English by combining the prefix un-, meaning “not,” with real. The word developed in the early modern period, initially in the sense of something that was not actual or existent. Its root is the same as that of reality, realism, realistic, and realist, all of which ultimately relate to Latin realis, meaning “true” or “actual.”
Related word forms
How unreal is actually used
The standard meaning is neutral and can describe anything imaginary, fictional, hypothetical, or merely unlikely to exist. The approving sense is informal and especially common in speech; it is more expressive than precise and is not usually suitable for formal writing.
Easily confused with unreal
Unreal means not real or, informally, extraordinarily impressive, while unrealistic means impractical, excessive, or unlikely to be achieved.