Unreal

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Unreal" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is extraordinary, unbelievable, or not real. An example: "The sunset was so beautiful, it felt unreal." Alternative expressions include "incredible," "fantastic," and "unbelievable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Pitbull specialise in the Unreal Engine, used by Epic Games, who are famous for the Unreal Tournament series, Bioshock and Gears of War.

The Guardian

So there is an unreal, videogame quality to it, a sense of the PR man's gloss on the unpalatable limits of a fragile economic recovery.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There is," says Milach, "an unreal glow to the place, but it is like a coat of bright paint that hides old bricks.

The Guardian - Arts

But Knausgaard took this distaste for the unreal and the manipulated to new extremes.

The Guardian - Books

Waterfalls, lush greenery and grazing cows, in the midst of miles of golden dunes, made the scene appear unreal, like a film set – especially when our camel entered stage left.

The Guardian - Travel

It's unreal, the situation I have here".

The Guardian

Robert Troughton, another Sunderland native, is founder of Pitbull Studio, a video games company which specialises in developing the Unreal Engine for American games giant Epic.

The Guardian

"One of my issues with Invisible Children is that by providing such a truncated vision, and an unreal one, of what's happening today in our area right now, they missed the opportunity to cast this in much more broader and much more significant terms".

The Guardian

"This paradoxical unreal reality is a rich playground for horror".

The Guardian - Film

"As we arrived, the sun set below the cloud cover and I had almost unreal light for around a minute.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This special kingdom had a mile-long metal walkway built on giant concrete pillars and was surrounded by huge metal statues of aliens or 'unreal dudes' as one DJ, a kid from Moscow called Kirsil, described them to us.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Unreal" to describe something positive, ensure the context clarifies that the exaggerated nature is desirable, such as in praising a particularly delicious meal or an amazing performance.

Common error

While "Unreal" is acceptable in casual conversation, it can sound unprofessional in formal writing or business communications. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "remarkable", "exceptional", or "extraordinary".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Unreal" is as an adjective. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it modifies nouns to describe something that is either not real or exceptionally impressive and difficult to believe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sport

12%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Books

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "Unreal" is a versatile term used to describe something fake, unbelievable, or exceptionally impressive. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in informal contexts like news, sports, and arts. While "Unreal" is widely understood, more formal settings may require alternatives such as "incredible" or "extraordinary". When writing, be mindful of the intended audience and adjust the level of formality accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incredible

Focuses on the difficulty to believe something is true or real.

Unbelievable

Highlights the lack of credibility or plausibility.

Surreal

Emphasizes the dreamlike or bizarre qualities of a situation.

Fantastic

Suggests something is exceptionally good or imaginative, sometimes to the point of seeming impossible.

Mind-blowing

Conveys a sense of overwhelming astonishment or excitement.

Extraordinary

Indicates something is beyond what is ordinary or usual.

Astonishing

Stresses the surprising or remarkable nature of something.

Out of this world

Implies something is exceptional or beyond ordinary experiences.

Hard to fathom

Highlights the difficulty to understand or believe a certain situation.

Beyond belief

Indicates something is so extreme it's difficult to accept.

FAQs

How can I use "Unreal" in a sentence?

You can use "Unreal" to describe something that seems fake or too good to be true, as in "The sunset was so vivid it looked unreal". It can also express disbelief or amazement, like saying, "The skill of that performer is unreal!"

What can I say instead of "Unreal"?

You can use alternatives like "incredible", "unbelievable", or "amazing" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "Unreal" in formal writing?

While "Unreal" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal settings. In formal writing, consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "extraordinary" or "remarkable".

How does "Unreal" compare to "Surreal"?

"Unreal" generally describes something that seems fake or unbelievable, while "surreal" emphasizes a dreamlike or bizarre quality. Something "unreal" might be a stunning natural phenomenon, while something "surreal" feels like it belongs in a strange or illogical dream.