WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•al•is•tic /ˌriəˈlɪstɪk/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical:a realistic estimate of costs.
- characterized by the representation in literature or art of things as they really are:a realistic novel.
re•al•is•tic
(rē′ə lis′tik),USA pronunciation adj.
re′al•is′ti•cal•ly, adv.
- interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical:a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.
- pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or art of things as they really are:a realistic novel.
- resembling or simulating real life:a duck hunter skilled at making realistic decoys.
- Philosophyof or pertaining to realists or realism.
- realist + -ic 1855–60
- 1. . pragmatic, common-sense, hard-headed, sensible.
'realistically' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):