The meaning of REALISTIC is of, relating to, or marked by literary or artistic realism : accurately representing what is natural or real : convincingly rendered to appear natural.

Let's be realistic (about this) - I just can't afford to pay that much money. It isn't realistic to expect people to work for so little money.

REALISTIC definition: interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical. See examples of realistic used in a sentence.

Of or relating to the representation of objects, actions, or social conditions as they actually are: a realistic novel about coal mining. See Synonyms at vivid.

interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical: a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner. pertaining to, characterized by, or given to the representation in literature or …

When used as an adjective, "realistic" (usually related to visual appearance) distinguishes itself from "realist" art that concerns subject matter. Similarly, the term "illusionistic" might be used …

Dec 14, 2025 · Relating to the representation of objects, actions or conditions as they actually are or were. A realistic novel about the Victorian poor.