Reality is what actually exists and happens, as opposed to what we imagine, hope for, or pretend. When you dream about flying, that's your imagination, but when you wake up in your bed, that's reality. Reality is the world as it truly is, not as we wish it to be.

Sometimes people talk about facing reality, which means accepting the truth of a situation even when it's disappointing. A student might fantasize about getting a perfect score without studying, but reality sets in when they see the actual grade. Reality can be harsh, like realizing you won't make the basketball team this year, or wonderful, like discovering your hard work paid off better than you expected.

The word also describes someone's personal experience of the world. Your reality as a student is different from your teacher's reality or your grandparents' reality. People sometimes say “in reality” to contrast what seems true with what is actually true: In reality, the tough-looking dog was actually friendly and gentle.

We also use reality to talk about practical facts versus fantasy. A virtual reality headset creates an artificial world, but when you take it off, you return to reality. Understanding reality means seeing things clearly, which helps you make good decisions and solve real problems instead of imaginary ones.