Surreal
/səˈrɪəl/noun
Having an oddly dreamlike quality; surrealism refers to a 20th-century artistic movement.
Did you know?The term 'surreal' emerged from the Surrealist movement in the early 20th century, which sought to unleash the creative potential of the unconscious mind, blending dreams with reality.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
French
surréaliste
“Pertaining to the movement that transcends realism.”
1920s
French
surréaliste
“Coalescing strange imagery with ordinary life, inspired by dreams.”
1930s
English
surreal
“Adopted into English to describe the strange, dreamlike qualities of art and literature.”
Modern English
English
surreal
“Now refers broadly to anything that evokes a bizarre, dreamlike atmosphere, often in art or literature.”