Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “realistic” come from?

Realistic is derived from English realist, which combines English real from Latin reālis, meaning pertaining to things, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵ-.

realistic (English): Expressed or represented as being accurate,...

Definitions

  1. Expressed or represented as being accurate,...

Ancestry of “realistic”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishrealistAn advocate of realism; one who believes that...
2EnglishrealTrue, genuine, not merely nominal or apparent;...
3Middle Englishrealreal, true, factual; concerning possessions;...
4Old Frenchreel—
5Latinreālis—
6Latinrēs—
7Latinvindicatiocivil lawsuit; protection, defence; vindication;...
8Latinvindicō—
9Latinvindexclaimant, vindicator
10Latindīcō—
11Latin-tiō—
12Latindissertātiō—
13Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
14Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
15Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
16Latincalceusshoe
17Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
18Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “realistic”

  • unrealistic
  • realistically
  • unrealistically
  • photorealistic
  • nonrealistic
  • hyperrealistic
  • antirealistic
  • neorealistic
  • realisticness
  • nonphotorealistic
  • semirealistic
  • ultrarealistic
  • pseudorealistic
  • unrealisticness
  • macrorealistic
  • extrarealistic
  • realisticity
  • semirealistically
  • transrealistic
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →