Irreal
/ɪˈriːəl/noun
Not real, especially in appearance, experience, or artistic representation.
Did you know?Although “irreal” can sound occult, it is a relatively modern literary formation built from the Latin-rooted word “real” with the negative prefix “ir-.”
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
rēs
“Thing, matter, affair, or reality—the foundational noun behind later words for the real.”
Late Latin
Latin
reālis
“Of a thing; actual or relating to reality, formed from rēs.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
reel
“Real, actual, or existing; descended from Latin reālis.”
Middle English
English
real
“Actually existing or genuine, adopted from Anglo-French and Old French.”
19th Century
French/English
irréel / irreal
“Not real; the negative prefix marks a contrast with the real.”
Modern English
English
irreal
“Unreal or seemingly outside ordinary reality, often used in literary and artistic description.”