Realistically
ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪkli
Definitions
In a way that is based on facts and the actual situation; in a practical way.
ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪkli
In a way that shows a practical understanding of things and events as they are, not as you might wish them to be.
He assessed the situation realistically before making a decision.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a party. If you *realistically* plan, you'll think about things like how much food you can afford, the number of people you can fit in your house, and the weather. It's about making choices that make sense based on what's actually possible.
👶 For kids: When you do something realistically, it means you think about what is really happening, not what you wish would happen.
More Examples
You need to approach the problem realistically.
They planned the project realistically, taking into account potential delays.
The company is valued realistically based on current market conditions.
How It's Used
"We need to assess the project realistically before committing resources."
"She evaluated the political climate realistically."
"You must set your budget realistically if you want to save money."
Idioms & expressions
Let's be realistic
Used to suggest that someone should consider the actual situation or possibility, rather than an unrealistic one.
"Let's be realistic, we can't afford to buy a new car this year."
From 'realistic' + '-ly'. 'Realistic' comes from 'real' + '-istic', indicating resemblance to reality. The suffix '-ly' transforms the adjective into an adverb, indicating 'in a realistic manner'.
Used since the mid-19th century, following the rise of realism in art and literature. It initially implied a degree of accuracy or fidelity to observed reality, but shifted towards a focus on practicality.
Memory tip
Think of a 'real' situation. When things are real, they must be dealt with realistically.