[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/unreal/)

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# unreal

adjective (unreal)

«unreal» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Unreal means not real; imaginary or seeming like a dream. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#m1)
2. Unreal can describe something so strange or shocking that it is hard to believe it is really happening. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#m2)
3. (slang) Unreal means amazing, brilliant or excellent: «That goal was unreal!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#m3)
4. (slang) Unreal can also mean unfair or ridiculous: «The price is unreal.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories: an unreal world, dreams and fantasy. In everyday talk: «It felt unreal» about big news or events. In young people's slang, especially in Australia, NZ and the USA, «unreal» is strong praise. It tells the reader the speaker is amazed.

### Examples

- The dream felt unreal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x1)
- Winning the cup still feels unreal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x2)
- That skateboard trick was unreal! (slang) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x3)
- Dragons are unreal creatures from stories. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x4)
- The prices at the theme park were unreal. (slang) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x5)
- The sunset was so bright it looked unreal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x6)
- «How was the concert?» «Unreal, mate!» (slang) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x7)
- Their mildness seemed unreal, and a mere freak; but their savage nature was as true as their teeth and claws. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/#x8)

### Note

Opposite: «real». In the slang senses it is informal; do not use it in formal writing. Spelling: «un-» + «real», one word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «unreal» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unreal/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unreal» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unreal.html) on Mova free.