Difference Wiki

True vs. Real: What's the Difference?

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 6, 2023
"True" relates to the veracity or accuracy of something, while "real" pertains to the existence or authenticity of an entity.

Key Differences

1. "True" often describes the correctness or validity of a statement or claim. For instance, when someone states a fact and it aligns with reality, it is termed "true." On the other hand, "real" emphasizes physical existence or tangible presence. Something that exists in the world, as opposed to an illusion or a fabrication, is considered "real."
2. When something is said to be "true," it implies it's free from falsehood. It is used to differentiate between what is right and what is mistaken or misleading. "Real," however, separates what is actual from what might be fictitious, imaginary, or unreal.
3. There are occasions where "true" and "real" may appear interchangeable, but context matters. For instance, one might say their feelings are "true," meaning sincere, or "real," implying genuine. Yet, describing a diamond, one might question if it's "real" (authentic) and not whether it's "true."
4. "True" also holds connotations of loyalty and consistency, as in staying "true" to oneself. "Real," on the contrary, often implies a deeper authenticity, like a "real" person showcasing genuine character and personality.
5. Both terms, "true" and "real," contrast with ideas of falsehood and unreality, respectively. While "true" frequently finds its opposite in "false," "real" typically stands against "fake" or "imaginary."
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Correct or accurate
Existing or authentic

Opposite

False
Fake or imaginary

Usage Context

Veracity of statements
Authenticity or existence of entities

Emotional Connotation

Sincerity, loyalty
Genuineness, tangible presence

Example Context

"Is that statement true?"
"Is that diamond real?"
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True and Real Definitions

True

In accordance with fact or reality.
Her story turned out to be true.

Real

Not imitation; genuine.
She wears real pearls.

True

Genuine; not counterfeit.
His love for her was true.

Real

Sincere or genuine in emotion.
His concern was real.

True

Accurate or exact.
The model was a true representation of the building.

Real

Being an actual thing; having objective existence.
The threat is very real.

True

Properly or correctly aligned or positioned.
Make sure the door is hung true.

Real

Not exaggerated; factual.
The movie is based on real events.

True

Consistent with fact or reality; not false or erroneous
The true cost.

Real

Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verifiable existence
Real objects.
A real illness.

True

Not counterfeit; real or genuine
True gold.

Real

True and actual; not imaginary, alleged, or ideal
Real people, not ghosts.
A film based on real life.

True

Conforming to the characteristics or criteria of a group or type; typical
A true crab.
A true gentleman.

Real

Of or founded on practical matters and concerns
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time.

True

Properly called
True value.

Real

Genuine and authentic; not artificial or spurious
Real mink.
Real humility.

True

Reliable; accurate
A true prophecy.

Real

Being no less than what is stated; worthy of the name
A real friend.

True

Faithful, as to a friend, vow, or cause; loyal.

Real

Free of pretense, falsehood, or affectation
Tourists hoping for a real experience on the guided tour.

True

(Archaic) Truthful, honest, or trustworthy.

Real

Not to be taken lightly; serious
In real trouble.

True

Sincerely felt or expressed; unfeigned
True grief.

Real

(Philosophy) Existing objectively in the world regardless of subjectivity or conventions of thought or language.

True

Rightful; legitimate
The true heir.

Real

Relating to, being, or having value reckoned by actual purchasing power
Real income.
Real growth.

True

Exactly conforming to a rule, standard, or pattern
Trying to sing true B.

Real

(Physics) Of, relating to, or being an image formed by light rays that converge in space.

True

Accurately shaped, fitted, or placed
Are the wheels true?.

Real

(Mathematics) Of, relating to, or being a real number.

True

Determined with reference to the earth's axis, not the magnetic poles
True north.

Real

(Law) Of or relating to stationary or fixed property, such as buildings or land.

True

Quick and exact in sensing and responding
A true ear.

Real

Very
I'm real sorry about that.

True

(Computers) Indicating one of two possible values taken by a variable in Boolean logic or a binary device.

Real

A thing or whole having actual existence. Often used with the
Theories beyond the realm of the real.

True

In accord with reality, fact, or truthfulness.

Real

(Mathematics) A real number.

True

Unswervingly; exactly
The archer aimed true.

Real

A silver coin formerly used in Spain and Latin America.

True

So as to conform to a type, standard, or pattern.

Real

A unit of currency formerly used in Portugal.

True

To position (something) so as to make it balanced, level, or square
Trued up the long planks.

Real

See Table at currency.

True

Truth or reality. Used with the.

Real

True, genuine, not merely nominal or apparent.

True

Proper alignment or adjustment
Out of true.

Real

Genuine, not artificial, counterfeit, or fake.
This is real leather.

True

(of a statement) Conforming to the actual state of reality or fact; factually correct.
This is a true story.

Real

Genuine, unfeigned, sincere.
These are real tears!

True

As an ellipsis of "(while) it is true (that)", used to start a sentence
True, I have only read part of the book, but I like it so far.

Real

Actually being, existing, or occurring; not fictitious or imaginary.
A description of real life

True

Conforming to a rule or pattern; exact; accurate.
A true copy;
A true likeness of the original

Real

That has objective, physical existence.
No one has ever seen a real unicorn.

True

(logic) Of the state in Boolean logic that indicates an affirmative or positive result.
"A and B" is true if and only if "A" is true and "B" is true.

Real

(economics) Having been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation; measured in purchasing power contrast nominal.
My dad calculated my family's real consumption per month.
What is the real GNP of this polity?

True

Loyal, faithful.
He’s turned out to be a true friend.

Real

(economics) Relating to the result of the actions of rational agents; relating to neoclassical economic models as opposed to Keynesian models.

True

Genuine; legitimate, valid.
This is true Parmesan cheese.
The true king has returned!

Real

Being either a rational number, or the limit of a convergent infinite sequence of rational numbers: being one of a set of numbers with a one-to-one correspondence to the points on a line.

True

Used in the designation of group of species, or sometimes a single species, to indicate that it belongs to the clade its common name (which may be more broadly scoped in common speech) is restricted to in technical speech, or to distinguish it from a similar species, the latter of which may be called false.
True spiders

Real

(legal) Relating to immovable tangible property.
Real estate;
Real property

True

Accurate; following a path toward the target.

Real

Absolute, complete, utter.
This is a real problem.

True

(of a mechanical part) Correctly aligned or calibrated, without deviation.
Is my bike wheel true? It feels unsteady.

Real

(slang) Signifying meritorious qualities or actions especially as regard the enjoyment of life, prowess at sports, or success wooing potential partners.
I'm keeping it real.

True

Fair, unbiased, not loaded.

Real

Really, very.
When I told him the truth, he got real mad.

True

(of a literary genre) based on actual historical events.

Real

A commodity; see realty.

True

(of shooting, throwing etc) Accurately.
This gun shoots true.

Real

(grammar) One of the three genders that the common gender can be separated into in the Scandinavian languages.

True

(archaic) Truthfully.

Real

(mathematics) A real number.

True

(uncountable) The state of being in alignment.

Real

(obsolete) A realist.

True

Truth.

Real

Former unit of currency of Spain and Spain's colonies.

True

A pledge or truce.

Real

A coin worth one real.

True

To straighten (of something that is supposed to be straight).
He trued the spokes of the bicycle wheel.

Real

A unit of currency used in Portugal and its colonies from 1430 until 1911, and in Brazil from 1790 until 1942.

True

To make even, level, symmetrical, or accurate, align; adjust.
We spent all night truing up the report.

Real

A coin worth one real.

True

Conformable to fact; in accordance with the actual state of things; correct; not false, erroneous, inaccurate, or the like; as, a true relation or narration; a true history; a declaration is true when it states the facts.

Real

A unit of currency used in Brazil since 1994. Symbol: R$.

True

Right to precision; conformable to a rule or pattern; exact; accurate; as, a true copy; a true likeness of the original.
Making his eye, foot, and hand keep true time.

Real

A coin worth one real.

True

Steady in adhering to friends, to promises, to a prince, or the like; unwavering; faithful; loyal; not false, fickle, or perfidious; as, a true friend; a wife true to her husband; an officer true to his charge.
Thy so true,So faithful, love unequaled.
Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie.

Real

A former small Spanish silver coin; also, a denomination of money of account, formerly the unit of the Spanish monetary system.

True

Actual; not counterfeit, adulterated, or pretended; genuine; pure; real; as, true balsam; true love of country; a true Christian.
The true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
True ease in writing comes from art, not chance.

Real

A realist.

True

Genuine; real; not deviating from the essential characters of a class; as, a lizard is a true reptile; a whale is a true, but not a typical, mammal.

Real

Royal; regal; kingly.

True

In accordance with truth; truly.

Real

Actually being or existing; not fictitious or imaginary; as, a description of real life.
Whereat I waked, and foundBefore mine eyes all real, as the dreamHad lively shadowed.

True

Proper alignment; the property possessed by something that is in correct or proper alignment;
Out of true

Real

True; genuine; not artificial, counterfeit, or factitious; often opposed to ostensible; as, the real reason; real Madeira wine; real ginger.
Whose perfection far excelledHers in all real dignity.

True

Make level, square, balanced, or concentric;
True up the cylinder of an engine

Real

Relating to things, not to persons.
Many are perfect in men's humors that are not greatly capable of the real part of business.

True

Consistent with fact or reality; not false;
The story is true
It is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatever for supposing it true
The true meaning of the statement

Real

Having an assignable arithmetical or numerical value or meaning; not imaginary.

True

Not synthetic or spurious; of real or natural origin;
Real mink
True gold

Real

Pertaining to things fixed, permanent, or immovable, as to lands and tenements; as, real property, in distinction from personal or movable property.
For he that but conceives a crime in thought,Contracts the danger of an actual fault.
Our simple ideas are all real; all agree to the reality of things.

True

Conforming to definitive criteria;
The horseshoe crab is not a true crab
Pythagoras was the first true mathematician

Real

Any rational or irrational number

True

Accurately placed or thrown;
His aim was true
He was dead on target

Real

An old small silver Spanish coin

True

Devoted (sometimes fanatically) to a cause or concept or truth;
True believers bonded together against all who disagreed with them

Real

Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory;
Real objects
Real people; not ghosts
A film based on real life
A real illness
Real humility
Life is real! Life is earnest!

True

Expressing or given to expressing the truth;
A true statement
Gave truthful testimony
A truthful person

Real

No less than what is stated; worthy of the name;
The real reason
Real war
A real friend
A real woman
Meat and potatoes--I call that a real meal
It's time he had a real job
It's no penny-ante job--he's making real money

True

Worthy of being depended on;
A dependable worker
An honest working stiff
A reliable source of information
He was true to his word
I would be true for there are those who trust me

Real

Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something;
Her actual motive
A literal solitude like a desert
A genuine dilemma

True

Not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed;
Genuine emotion
Her interest in people was unfeigned
True grief

Real

Not synthetic or spurious; of real or natural origin;
Real mink
True gold

True

Rightly so called;
True courage
A spirit which true men have always admired
A true friend

Real

Not to be taken lightly;
Statistics demonstrate that poverty and unemployment are very real problems
To the man sleeping regularly in doorways homelessness is real

True

Determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles;
True north is geographic north

Real

Possible to be treated as fact;
Tangible evidence
His brief time as Prime Minister brought few real benefits to the poor

True

Having a legally established claim;
The legitimate heir
The true and lawful king

Real

Being value measured in terms of purchasing power;
Real prices
Real income
Real wages

True

In tune; accurate in pitch;
A true note

Real

Having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary;
The substantial world
A mere dream, neither substantial nor practical
Most ponderous and substantial things

True

Accurately fitted; level;
The window frame isn't quite true

Real

(of property) fixed or immovable;
Real property consists of land and buildings; real estate

True

Reliable as a basis for action;
A true prophesy

Real

Coinciding with reality;
Perceptual error...has a surprising resemblance to veridical perception

True

As acknowledged;
True, she is the smartest in her class

Real

Founded on practical matters;
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time

True

Loyal or faithful.
He was true to his promises.

Real

Used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;
She was very gifted
He played very well
A really enjoyable evening
I'm real sorry about it
A rattling good yarn

Real

Actually existing as a tangible or physical entity.
Ghosts are not real.

FAQs

Is "true love" the same as "real love"?

Both imply genuine affection, but "true love" often connotes destiny or fate.

Is a "true story" always a "real story"?

A true story is based on real events, but aspects might be dramatized or altered.

Can an emotion be both true and real?

Yes, an emotion can be true (sincere) and real (genuinely felt).

Does "true north" mean the same as "real north"?

"True north" refers to the Earth's geographic North Pole, while "real north" isn't a standard term.

Is a "real diamond" always "true" in quality?

A real diamond exists, but its quality can vary; not all are "true" (perfect) in quality.

Can a work of fiction have "true" elements?

Yes, fiction can have elements based on true (accurate) events or facts.

Can you use "true" and "real" interchangeably?

Sometimes they overlap, but context matters; "true" focuses on accuracy, "real" on existence.

What is the opposite of a "true statement"?

The opposite is a "false statement."

Can something be real but not true?

Yes, a statement might be about a real object but not be true in its description.

Is a "true friend" the same as a "real friend"?

Both imply loyalty and authenticity, but "true friend" might emphasize unwavering loyalty.

Can a "real event" be portrayed in a way that's not "true"?

Yes, real events can be depicted or described inaccurately or with exaggeration.

Can something "real" be intangible?

Yes, emotions or ideas can be real (genuine) yet intangible.

If something is "real," is it always true in its portrayal?

No, real objects or events can be misrepresented or misunderstood.

What makes a statement "true"?

A statement is true if it aligns with facts or reality.

Is "staying true" the same as "being real"?

"Staying true" implies consistency to oneself or values; "being real" implies authenticity.
About Author
Written by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie Carlson
Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.

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