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realistic

Etymology and origin of the English word realistic

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1829

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˌɹɪəˈlɪs.tɪk/, /ˌɹiːjəˈlɪs.tɪk/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from realist and -ic.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of art and literature, true to reality, showing realism: 1829.[2][4]

Semantic evolution

Involving a practical view of life, as opposed to idealistic, is from 1831 in Etymonline, 1862 in the OED.[2][4] Of philosophical realism it is from 1843.[4] Having a sensible, practical idea of what can be achieved is the main modern sense.[5][6]

Timeline

  • 1829 – true to reality.[2][4]
  • 1831 – practical.[2]
  • 1843 – in philosophy.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Having or showing a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or expected.
  2. Representing things in a way that is accurate and true to life.

Word family

  • realistically
  • antirealistic
  • hyperrealistic
  • nonrealistic
  • overrealistic
  • pseudorealistic
  • semirealistic
  • ultrarealistic

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  6. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
Cite this entry

“Realistic.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/realistic. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·