unreal
|un/real|
B2
🇺🇸
/ʌnˈriːəl/
🇬🇧
/ʌnˈrɪəl/
not real
Etymology
Etymology Information
'unreal' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'real' from Latin 'realis', meaning 'actual'.
Historical Evolution
'unreal' evolved from the Middle English word 'unreel', which was derived from the Old French 'reel', meaning 'real'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'not actual or true', but over time it also came to mean 'incredible or astonishing'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not real or actual; imaginary or illusory.
The special effects in the movie made the scenes look unreal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
so remarkable as to seem imaginary; incredible.
The view from the mountain was unreal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35