EJ not imagined or invented
real /rial/ [adj only before nounl actually existing, and not just imagined or invented: There are some real advantages to the system. I Children often think that fairies are real.
in real li/e (=not in a story, film, or your imagination) Many great comic actors are anxious and depressed in real life.
actual / sektjual/ [adj] real - use this especially to compare how something really is with what you expected it to be or intended it to be: How does the actual cost compare with the original estimate? I The actual number of people without
jobs is much higher than the government claims. actually [adv] He looks quite young, but he's actually about 50.
El when someone really feels something
really /'roli/ [adv] when you really feel something, really want something etc, and you are not just pretending to feel it: Do you think she's really sorry? i Do you really want to come with us? It'll be very boring for you. I He talks about wanting equality, but I don't think he really believes it himself.
Sincere /,sm,si3r.; [adj] if you are sincere, or have sincere feelings, you really care about something, want something, or feel sorry about something: a sincere wish for peace
+ in They seemed to be sincere in their concern for the children's welfare. sincere thanks/apologies formal I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who helped us. sincerely [adv] I believe they sincerely want to find a peaceful solution to the dispute.
genuine d3enjuj,n [adj] genuine feelings are real and not pretended - use this especially when you are surprised that someone has these feelings: I'm not sure if her sympathy was really genuine. I a genuine attempt to improve relations between the two countries genuinely [adv] He seemed genuinely interested in our work.
Ei pictures/books that
make things seem real
realistic na'listik/ [adj] use this about
607
REAL
books, pictures, and films that show or describe things as they really are: I loved the drawings, they were so realistic. I The documentary gave a very realistic account of the war.
REALIZE
li/elike 'laiflaik/ [adj] use this about pictures and models that look very like the real person or thing: On the shelf was a very lifelike plastic bird.
REALIZE
to notice or understand
something that you did not notice or understand before
^ see also understand/not understand, notice, know/not know
realize (also realise British) /'rolaiz [v
I/T] to notice or understand something that you did not notice or understand before: Tim only realized his mistake the next day. I Without realising it, we had gone the wrong way. I Oh. is that your chair? Sorry. I didn't realize. + (that) She woke up and realised that there was someone moving around downstairs I I never realized you were from Rome!
realize how/what/why etc Tm sorry, I didn't realize how upset you were about all this.
OCCUr to sb э'кэ:г tu: (sb)/ [phrasa/ verb T] if something occurs to you, you suddenly realize that it may be true it occurs to sb that It suddenly occurred to me that maybe she was lying. I Didn 't it ever occur to you that they would probably like to be alone together?
occurring - occurred - have occurred
become aware ь.клт s'weor/ i-^plcially
I
written to gradually begin to realize that something is happening or is true + of I was slowly becoming aware of how much Melissa was suffering. + that He became aware that the man sitting opposite was staring at him intently.
Sink in /.siqk 'inj {phrasal verb I] if a new piece of information sinks in. you gradually understand it and realize how important, serious, or good it is: The news of the Presidents assassination had only just begun to sink in. I "How do you feel about winning this award?" "It hasn't really sunk in yet."
dawn ОП sb / do:n Dn (sb)}|-a:n-/ (phrasal verb T] if a fact dawns on you, you slowly begin to realize it, especially something that you should have realized before: The awful truth only dawned on me later. it dawns on sb that It slowly dawned on
her that they were all making fun of her.
REASON
see also cause, purpose
II why something happens or why someone does something
reason ri:z<?n [n C] what makes something happen, or what makes someone do something: ' Why didn't Mike come to the party?" 7 don't know, but there must be a reason."
+ for The reason for the price rise ujas the increase in the cost of materials. reason for doing sth What was your reason for leaving your last job? reason why There's no reason why Johnnie can't come with us + (that) The only reason she didn't win wos that she had injured her knee, for personal/health/business etc reasons For security reasons, there were video cameras at the school entrance. Q/or some reason especially spokln (=for a reason that you do not know or understand) No. he isn't here - he had to go back to Poland for some reason.
A Don't say 'the reason of something'. Say the reason for something: What was the геаюп for her strange behaviour? j
explanation ,eksph'neij>i/ [n С] a fact.
statement, or idea that helps you to understand why something has happened: I don't know where your bike is. The only explanation / can think of is that someone borrowed it.
+ for What is the explanation for these changes in climate?
motive 'mootiv/ [n C] the reason that makes someone decide to do something, especially something bad or dishonest + for Police believe the motive for the murder was jealousy.
motive for doing sth What was her real motive for phoning me?
u why something is right or should be done
reason riizjn [n C/U] a fact that makes
it right or fair for someone to do something
reason why The reason why we need these laws is to protect children from violent adults.
reason, to do sth / can think of lots of reasons to get married. with good reason (=when it is right or fair that someone does something) The school is proud of its record, and with good reason.
that's no reason to do sth I know I'm late but that's no reason to shout at me.
argument /uorgj^ri9nt |n C] one of the reasons that someone uses to try to persuade someone to agree with them + that the argument that violence on TV makes people behave violently + /or/against (=a reason why something should or should not be done) What are the arguments for the legalization of cannabis?