'surreal' originates from French, specifically the word 'surréel', where 'sur-' meant 'above' and 'réel' meant 'real'.

'surréel' transformed into the English word 'surreal' in the early 20th century, influenced by the surrealist art movement.

Initially, it meant 'above or beyond reality', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'bizarre or dreamlike'.