Irreal vs. Unreal — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Fiza Rafique — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
Irreal is the incorrect spelling of unreal, which refers to something not existing in reality or fantastical.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Irreal or Unreal
How to spell Unreal?
Irreal
Incorrect Spelling
Unreal
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Connect the concept of reality with the prefix "un-", which typically negates the original meaning of the word.
Note the root word "real" in unreal, which straightforwardly accepts the "un-" prefix to create its opposite.
Remember that unreal aligns with similar prefixes like "un-" used in English to denote negation, as in "unbelievable" or "uncommon".
Practice spelling by breaking the word into parts: "un-real" to emphasize its components.
How Do You Spell Unreal Correctly?
Incorrect: She couldn't believe the irreal nature of the dream.
Correct: She couldn't believe the unreal nature of the dream.
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Incorrect: The landscape looked so strange, almost irreal.
Correct: The landscape looked so strange, almost unreal.
Incorrect: His ideas about the future are somewhat irreal.
Correct: His ideas about the future are somewhat unreal.
Incorrect: That movie had such an irreal plot twist.
Correct: That movie had such an unreal plot twist.
Incorrect: The scenario he described was completely irreal.
Correct: The scenario he described was completely unreal.
Unreal Definitions
Artificial or simulated; not genuine.
The texture of the vegan burger was unreal compared to real meat.
Not real or practical; imaginary, fantastic.
The story was so unreal, it felt like a dream.
Surprisingly impressive or extreme.
His comeback in the game was unreal; nobody expected it!
Disbelieving or skeptical about something.
I found his excuse unreal; it didn’t make any sense.
Exaggerated or fantastic to the point of being improbable.
The effects in the movie were unreal; they looked too good!
Not real or substantial; illusory.
(Slang) So remarkable as to elicit disbelief; fantastic.
Surreal.
Not real or substantial; having no actual presence in reality; lacking the characteristics of reality.
(informal) very impressive; amazing; unbelievable; incredible; larger or more fantastic than typical of real life.
The video includes unreal footage of an eight-metre wave.
I just had an unreal hamburger.
Not real; unsubstantial; fanciful; ideal.
Lacking in reality or substance or genuineness; not corresponding to acknowledged facts or criteria;
Ghosts and other unreal entities
Unreal propaganda serving as news
Not actually such; being or seeming fanciful or imaginary;
This conversation is getting more and more unreal
The fantastically unreal world of government bureaucracy
The unreal world of advertising art
Contrived by art rather than nature;
Artificial flowers
Artificial flavoring
An artificial diamond
Artificial fibers
Artificial sweeteners
Lacking material form or substance; unreal;
As insubstantial as a dream
An insubstantial mirage on the horizon
Unreal Meaning in a Sentence
He gave an unreal performance that left the audience in awe.
That unreal feeling when you first walk into a new place is unforgettable.
Sometimes, movies can create an unreal world that seems believable.
The unreal quality of the video game graphics impressed everyone.
The unreal beauty of the mountains captivated all the tourists.
The colors in the sunset were so vivid, they seemed unreal.
It felt unreal to finally meet her favorite author in person.
It was unreal how quickly the time passed when they were together.
The unreal silence in the forest was both calming and eerie.
The haunted house created an unreal atmosphere with eerie sounds and visuals.
The party was unreal, filled with surprises and laughter.
To say her skills are unreal is an understatement; she's a genius!
The way the magician vanished was unreal, leaving the crowd puzzled.
Her dream was so vivid and detailed, it felt unreal upon waking.
Achieving such high scores was unreal; he practiced for months.
The special effects in the film were so advanced, they seemed unreal.
When he spoke about his adventures, they seemed unreal because of their extravagance.
An unreal story can transport you to another dimension.
He described the experience as unreal, like something out of a sci-fi movie.
The unreal pace of technological advancement is hard to keep up with.
Winning the lottery seemed unreal until he actually saw the cheque.
The unreal calm before the storm made everyone uneasy.
She made an unreal catch during the game, securing the victory.
Discovering a hidden talent at this stage in life felt unreal.
The clarity of the photograph made the scene look unreal.
Unreal Idioms & Phrases
Almost unreal
Something that is so surprising or impressive it is hard to believe.
The view from the top was almost unreal.
Unreal world
A world that is imagined or not based on reality.
Authors often create an unreal world in their novels.
Unreal expectations
Expectations that are not reasonable or achievable.
Unreal expectations can lead to disappointment.
Beyond unreal
Exceeding what is considered imaginary or fantastical.
The plot twist in the story was beyond unreal.
Seem unreal
To appear false or fabricated.
The rumors did seem unreal until they were confirmed.
Make it unreal
To exaggerate or enhance something to the point it doesn't seem true.
The photo filters make the sunset look unreal.
Unreal nature
The essence of being incredible or hard to believe.
The unreal nature of the tale captivated all listeners.
Unreal experience
An extraordinary or unforgettable experience.
Visiting the ancient ruins was an unreal experience.
Unreal results
Outcomes that are so good they are hard to believe.
The new strategy delivered unreal results.
Unreal perception
A view or understanding that is not based on factual reality.
His unreal perception of the risks led to careless decisions.
Feel unreal
To be so extraordinary or unexpected that it feels like a dream.
Winning the award did feel unreal for her.
Unreal sense
A feeling or intuition that is misleading or not based on reality.
He had an unreal sense of security until the storm hit.
Unreal scenario
A situation that is unlikely or imagined.
The exercise involved planning for an unreal scenario.
Unreal quality
A characteristic that is exceptionally good or bad.
The unreal quality of the handmade shoes impressed everyone.
An unreal amount
A quantity or extent that is hard to comprehend.
The charity received an unreal amount of donations this year.
Caught in the unreal
Being involved in situations or thoughts that are not grounded in reality.
Often caught in the unreal, he struggled with practical tasks.
Nothing unreal
Confirming that something is genuine or realistic.
She assured them that there was nothing unreal about her story.
Become unreal
To develop into something extraordinary or unexpected.
The event quickly became unreal as the celebrations escalated.
Keep it unreal
A playful encouragement to continue being impressive or extraordinary.
With every performance, his fans would chant, Keep it unreal!
Live in an unreal world
To believe in or imagine things that are not realistic.
Accused of living in an unreal world, she found it hard to face harsh truths.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in unreal?
The stressed syllable in unreal is the second syllable: "real."
Why is it called unreal?
Unreal combines the prefix "un-" meaning "not" with "real," originating from the Latin word "realis," which means actual or genuine, to denote the opposite—something not real or fantastical.
How do we divide unreal into syllables?
Unreal is divided into syllables as follows: un-real.
How is unreal used in a sentence?
Unreal is used to describe something that is so extraordinary, impressive, or hard to believe that it seems as if it is not based in reality.
What is the verb form of unreal?
Unreal is an adjective; it does not have a verb form.
What is the pronunciation of unreal?
Unreal is pronounced as /ʌnˈriː.əl/.
How many syllables are in unreal?
There are two syllables in unreal.
What is the root word of unreal?
The root word of unreal is "real."
What is the singular form of unreal?
The singular form is unreal.
What is the plural form of unreal?
The plural form is unreal, as it is an adjective and does not change.
What is another term for unreal?
Another term for unreal is "imaginary."
Is unreal a noun or adjective?
Unreal is an adjective.
Is the word “unreal” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Unreal cannot be a direct or indirect object as it is an adjective.
Is unreal an adverb?
No, unreal is not an adverb.
Is unreal a collective noun?
No, unreal is not a collective noun.
Is the word unreal imperative?
No, unreal is an adjective and cannot be imperative.
Which determiner is used with unreal?
Determiners such as "an," "the," or "this" can be used with unreal.
What part of speech is unreal?
Unreal is an adjective.
What is the opposite of unreal?
The opposite of unreal is real.
Is unreal a countable noun?
Unreal is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Which conjunction is used with unreal?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" are commonly used with unreal.
Is unreal a negative or positive word?
Unreal can be either negative or positive, depending on the context.
Is the unreal term a metaphor?
The term unreal can be used metaphorically to emphasize the extraordinary nature of something.
Which vowel is used before unreal?
"An" is used before unreal due to the vowel sound at the start.
Is unreal an abstract noun?
No, unreal is an adjective, not a noun.
Is unreal a vowel or consonant?
Unreal starts with a vowel sound.
Is the word unreal Gerund?
No, unreal is not a gerund; it is an adjective.
Which preposition is used with unreal?
Common prepositions used with unreal include "for" and "by."
Which article is used with unreal?
The article "an" is typically used with unreal due to the initial vowel sound.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
