Etymologically
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unrealistic

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 31 October 2026 at 08:18. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • UK: /ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk/[1]
  • US: /riəˈlɪstɪk/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English un- + realistic, with the negative prefix un- meaning "not".[2][3] The adjective realistic is itself formed from English realist + -ic, and is recorded from 1829.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of art, literature and the like, not true to real life: 1860, in the London Standard newspaper of 18 December.[2][3] MW's Collegiate Dictionary and the first edition of the OED dated the word to 1865.[4][5]

Semantic evolution

The word followed the two main senses of realistic.[2] It was first used in criticism of art and writing that did not represent life faithfully (1860);[2] from 1863 it was also used of people, plans and expectations that do not take a practical view of what can be achieved.[2] This second sense, matching the sense of realistic recorded from 1869,[2] is now the usual one.[6][7][8] The adverb unrealistically was recorded by 1961.[5]

Timeline

  • 1860 – of art or literature, not representing real life.[2][3][7]
  • 1863 – not realistic in expectation or outlook; impracticable.[2]
  • 1961 – the adverb unrealistically.[5]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Not based on a sensible view of what is possible or likely; impractical or unreasonably idealistic: Their plan to rebuild the barn in a single weekend was unrealistic.[6][8][2][7]
  2. Of art, film or writing, not true to life; not realistic.[2][7]

Word family

  • unrealistically

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b c Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  7. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  8. ^ a b The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin