Unrealistic
/ˌʌnriːəˈlɪstɪk/
Definitions
Not based on a practical assessment of a situation; not realistic.
/ˌʌnriːəˈlɪstɪk/
Not representing things as they actually are; not practical.
The film's special effects, while visually impressive, were unrealistic.
💡 Simply: When something is unrealistic, it's like expecting a cat to fly – it's not going to happen! It means it's not likely or possible in the real world.
👶 For kids: Something that is unrealistic is like a dream that can't come true.
More Examples
She had an unrealistic view of the challenges involved in starting a business.
Trying to run a marathon without training is unrealistic.
How It's Used
"The company's projections for growth were considered unrealistic."
"He held unrealistic expectations of his abilities."
"Building a castle in the sky is an unrealistic idea."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From 'un-' (not) + 'realistic'. 'Realistic' comes from 'real' + '-istic', denoting a resemblance to reality. Therefore, unrealistic means not resembling reality.
The term has been used since the mid-19th century, gaining prominence with the rise of realism in art and literature, contrasting with idealized representations.
Memory tip
Imagine a picture frame with a distorted reflection. That's unrealistic.
Word Origin
"Existing in fact; not imaginary."