reality

/riˈæləti/ (bre, ipa) · /riˈæləti/ (ame, ipa) · /rē-ˈa-lə-tē/ (ame, mw)

reality — noun

  • realitysingular
  • realitiesplural

1. the world and the way things actually are around you, not the way you imagine or

1.名詞A2
釋義

the world and the way things actually are around you, not the way you imagine or wish them to be

例句

Anong found it hard to accept the reality of her father's illness.

collocation: accept the reality of + noun

In reality, Talia's business plan needed twice the money she had saved.

phrase: in reality (contrast marker)

同義詞
  • actual life

    more informal, everyday tone — 'in actual life' vs 'in reality'

  • real world

    emphasises the contrast with fantasy or theory

反義詞
  • fantasy

    reality is what exists; fantasy is imagined

  • imagination

    reality is external; imagination is internal

文法句型

reality + of + noun phrase

in reality

用法筆記

Often used as an uncountable noun. The phrase 'in reality' commonly appears at the start of a sentence to contrast a mistaken belief with what is actually true.

常見錯誤

❌In the reality, most plans fail.
✅In reality, most plans fail.
💡'in reality' does not take an article; it is a fixed phrase.
❌The reality is different from my imagine.
✅Reality is different from what I imagined.
💡use a clause after 'what', not a possessive.'

2. something that actually exists or happens in life, and can be seen, experienced,

2.名詞B1
釋義

something that actually exists or happens in life, and can be seen, experienced, or proven to be true

例句

Air pollution is a grim reality that people in many big cities face every day.

collocation: grim reality + that-clause

Ziad's dream of studying abroad finally became a reality last autumn.

collocation: become a reality

同義詞
  • fact

    more neutral — 'fact' is a piece of information; 'reality' emphasises experienced truth

  • truth

    focuses on correctness rather than existence

反義詞
  • dream

    a dream is not yet a reality

  • fiction

    fiction is invented; reality actually happens

文法句型

the reality that + clause

become a reality

用法筆記

Countable in this sense — you can say 'a reality' or 'the reality'. Frequently followed by a that-clause that specifies the content of the reality. Distinguished from sense 1 by being a specific, countable thing rather than an uncountable state.

常見錯誤

❌His success become reality last year.
✅His success became a reality last year.
💡'reality' is countable here and needs an article.
❌The reality of the poverty is hard to ignore.
✅The reality of poverty is hard to ignore.
💡do not use 'the' before a general concept like poverty.'

3. a type of television programme that shows ordinary people in unplanned, real-lif

3.名詞B1
釋義

a type of television programme that shows ordinary people in unplanned, real-life situations, created as entertainment rather than using actors and scripts

例句

Renata's favourite reality show follows the lives of nurses in a busy hospital.

modifier: reality show

Most reality programmes are filmed over several weeks to capture honest reactions.

modifier: reality programme

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

reality + noun (TV / show / programme / series)

用法筆記

Not a standalone noun for a TV show — you would not say 'I watched a reality' but 'I watched a reality show'. The word functions as a modifier (noun adjunct) before words like TV, show, programme, series, star.

常見錯誤

❌I like watching reality on TV.
✅I like watching reality shows on TV.
💡'reality' as a TV genre needs a following noun like 'show' or 'TV'.
❌The actors in reality TV are very talented.
✅The participants in reality TV are not actors.
💡using 'actors' for non-scripted participants is confusing.'