in real life
idiom
: in a real situation : in actual existence
We can laugh at things in movies that would scare us in real life.
Examples of in real life in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Neither could be located in real life despite their unusual names.
—
Chris Quintana, The Courier-Journal, 9 May 2024
But no, in real life Al Bundy wasn't really married to Peggy nor was Coach Eric Taylor's wife truly Tami (sorry, Friday Night Lights fans).
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
First off, the makeup had to look flawless in real life.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024
If Furiosa was conceived because Miller needed a hero to drive the war rig of his dreams, Max was born from grisly images Miller saw in real life.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 8 May 2024
Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton are unquestionably hot people in real life, but their characters were always dressed so…dorky (and that's putting it nicely).
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 3 May 2024
The gist of the story happened in real life, but the book was published as fiction.
—Amber Dowling, Variety, 2 May 2024
The show has connected a postindustrial Welsh city to the world, uniting fans online and in real life and sparking an economic boon.
—Jennifer McClellan, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Spoiler alert: Stanton in real life died only days after being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1869, meaning Menzies likely won’t be back for a second season of Manhunt — if there is one — to continue Lincoln’s Reconstruction efforts in the South after the U.S. Civil War.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
Chris Quintana, The Courier-Journal, 9 May 2024
But no, in real life Al Bundy wasn't really married to Peggy nor was Coach Eric Taylor's wife truly Tami (sorry, Friday Night Lights fans).
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024
First off, the makeup had to look flawless in real life.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 May 2024
If Furiosa was conceived because Miller needed a hero to drive the war rig of his dreams, Max was born from grisly images Miller saw in real life.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 8 May 2024
Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton are unquestionably hot people in real life, but their characters were always dressed so…dorky (and that's putting it nicely).
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 3 May 2024
The gist of the story happened in real life, but the book was published as fiction.
—Amber Dowling, Variety, 2 May 2024
The show has connected a postindustrial Welsh city to the world, uniting fans online and in real life and sparking an economic boon.
—Jennifer McClellan, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024
Spoiler alert: Stanton in real life died only days after being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1869, meaning Menzies likely won’t be back for a second season of Manhunt — if there is one — to continue Lincoln’s Reconstruction efforts in the South after the U.S. Civil War.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in real life.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in real life
Cite this Entry
“In real life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20real%20life. Accessed 14 May. 2024.
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