How to pronounce reality
Say it like ree-AL-uh-tee. Reality has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce reality. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ree
- AL
- uh
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Reality pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- reeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- teeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of reality
American and British speakers say reality in essentially the same way: /ˌriˈæləˌti/ in the US and /rɪˈælɪti/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-AL-ih-tee.
What does reality mean?
- all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you“his world was shattered”“we live in different worlds”
- the state of being actual or real“the reality of his situation slowly dawned on him”
- the state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be“businessmen have to face harsh realities”
Where does reality come from?
From French réalité (“quality of being real”), from Middle French realité (“property, possession”), from Medieval Latin reālitās, from Late Latin reālis (“real”), equivalent to real + -ity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with reality
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of reality.
- sexuality
- hospitality
- mortality
- morality
- mentality
- homosexuality
- nationality
- municipality
- locality
- neutrality
Questions about saying reality
How do you pronounce reality?
Say ree-AL-uh-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌriˈæləˌti/. In British English it is /rɪˈælɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in reality?
Reality has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AL). Broken into parts: ree · AL · uh · tee.
Do Americans and Brits say reality the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌriˈæləˌti/ and the British form is /rɪˈælɪti/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.