Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

for real life

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.41 in modern English

Syllables: for re-al life
IPA

17

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

prep_phrase

Synonym of in reality, occurring in real life as opposed to play or make believe.

Informal

prep_phrase

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see for, real life.

Example Sentences

"Sure, letting the neighbourhood kids set up a doctor's surgery in your loungeroom can end in chaos and crocodile attacks (as in the episode, The Doctor). But when Bingo goes to hospital for real life, the neighbours are at the ready with healing help (episode: Bumpy and the Wise Old Wolfhound)."

Etymology

Perhaps a Blend of for real + real life. Popularised by the 2018 Australian animated children's TV series Bluey, but attested earlier.

Usage

Informal

Phrases

for realsies

Frequently Paired Words

for realsies

Synonyms

in reality occurring in real life as opposed to play or make believe

Questions

What does for real life mean?: Synonym of in reality, occurring in real life as opposed to play or make believe.
Where does for real life come from?: Perhaps a Blend of for real + real life. Popularised by the 2018 Australian animated children's TV series Bluey, but attested earlier.

How to pronounce for real life

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “for real life”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “for real life” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.