The right real synonym depends on which doubt you want to settle. Does it exist? Then use actual or tangible. Is it the original and not a copy? Then use genuine or authentic. Is the feeling honest? Then use sincere or heartfelt.
Real is one of the plainest adjectives in English, so a swap can make writing sharper, but only if the new word answers the same question. The groups and swaps below sort that out, and the antonym section covers fake, imaginary and their relatives. For more adjectives, open the describing words hub.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
genuine, actual, authentic, true, sincerePart of speech
Adjective (informal adverb in real quick)Most formal
bona fide, veritable, tangibleMost casual
legit, honest-to-goodnessAntonyms
fake, imaginary, false, artificialWatch out
Real good and real fast are casual speech. In writing, use really or very.
Three questions, three groups
| The question | Words | In a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Does it exist? | actual, tangible, concrete, physical | We need tangible results, not promises. |
| Is it an original? | genuine, authentic, original, bona fide | The watch is a genuine antique. |
| Is it heartfelt? | sincere, heartfelt, honest, earnest | Please accept my heartfelt thanks. |
A fourth, smaller group means worthy of the name: a true friend, a proper meal, a veritable feast.
Legit to bona fide: the tone strip
The chips move from slang to legal tone. Legit is youthful and casual. True is plain and warm. Genuine fits nearly any register. Authentic is common for food, culture and art. Bona fide comes from Latin and appears in contracts and formal claims: a bona fide offer.
Real synonym swaps in everyday writing
- Is that real leather becomes is that genuine leather.
- The real cost was higher becomes the actual cost was higher.
- She showed real concern becomes she showed sincere concern.
- A real Italian pizza becomes an authentic Italian pizza.
- That was a real mess becomes that was a proper mess (casual) or a complete mess.
- He has a real chance of winning becomes he has a serious chance of winning.
- Real-world experience becomes practical experience or hands-on experience.
Thank you note: "Thanks for the real help last week." Real feels thin here. "Thanks for the practical help last week; it made a genuine difference" names what kind of help it was and keeps the warmth.
Real, reality and really
For the noun, reality swaps to fact, truth, actuality or existence. The idiom get real means be realistic. The adverb really, used before an adjective, has its own swaps: very, truly, genuinely, extremely. Avoid real as an adverb in formal text: the test was real hard becomes the test was very hard.
Pick carefully: near misses
Actual and genuine are not interchangeable. An actual diamond simply exists, while a genuine diamond is not glass. Natural means not made by people, which is different from real: a real flower can be dried and dyed. Realistic means believable or practical, so a realistic painting is not a real scene. Literal refers to exact word meaning, not to truth.
Antonyms of real
Fake, counterfeit and imitation are opposites for objects. Imaginary, fictional and pretend fit things that do not exist. Insincere and false fit feelings.
- The bag turned out to be a counterfeit.
- His smile felt insincere.
- The dragon in her story is imaginary.
Frequently asked questions
Which word for real sounds most polished?
Bona fide, veritable and authentic sound polished. Use bona fide for claims and offers, and authentic for food, art and culture.
What is the difference between genuine and authentic?
They overlap a lot. Genuine stresses that something is not fake, while authentic often stresses that it is true to its origin or tradition.
Is legit a good synonym for real?
In casual chat, yes. It sounds out of place in essays, reports or cover letters.
What word can replace real-world in a resume?
Practical, hands-on and applied all work: hands-on experience with clients, applied research. They sound more specific.
What is the opposite of real?
Fake fits objects, imaginary fits ideas and creatures, and insincere fits feelings. Unreal exists too, but often means amazing in casual speech.