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Realist Vs. Realest, How Are These Different? When To Use

Realist Vs. Realest, How Are These Different? When To Use

The phrase itself is not annoying, but the spelling is – for some at least-. Is it ‘realist’ or ‘realest’? It can be annoying when people use the incorrect word, and they do it repeatedly.

Grammatically speaking, ‘realist’ is the correct word. Realist refers to the one who believes that matter, objects, etc. have real existence beyond our perception of them. While ‘realest’ is used in slang for someone or something “extremely authentic” or “exceptional.”

Same as there, their, and they’re. With time, it starts to catch on, even spreads like wildfire. Before you know it, everyone is misusing the word, even educated people. So, let’s dive in and dig deeper into the words’ realist’ and ‘realest.’

Realist

Pronunciation: [ ree-uh-list ]

Meanings Of The Word Realist

As A Noun (Thought)

  • A person who represents or views things as they are.
  • Someone who accepts or hopes for only what seems likely or possible and does not expect or hope for more:

Example: I’m a realist – I knew there was no way I could win, so I swam for a good finish for points.

Realist As A Noun (Arts, Literature)

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  • A writer, an artist, etc., who represents life as it is, rather than in an imagined way
  • Refers to a writer or an artist who characterizes his/her work by realism.
  • An adherent of the realism movement is an artist who accurately portrays real everyday life.

Philosophy. An Adherent Of Realism.

  • As a noun, a realist is (philosophy) an advocate of realism. Someone who believes that matter, objects, etc., have real existence beyond our perception of them.
  • Someone who believes in seeing things the way they are, instead of how they would like them.

As A Noun, In The American Dictionary

  • A person who tends to accept and deal with situations and people as they are

As An Adjective

  • Of or relating to realism or to a person who embodies its principles or practices:

Example: the realist approach to social ills; realist paintings.

Origin Of The Word Realist

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Some date it back to 1595–1605, combining the words real (adj.) + -ist. And compare it to the French term réaliste. The meaning of it as a noun also goes back to the 17th century.

In philosophy, it is the notion of “someone that believes in the real existence of the outside world, independent of all thought about it.”

The meaning “writer or artist working by the principles of artistic realism” is from 1870.

Other Words Derived From Realist

  • An·ti·re·al·ist, noun, adjective
  • Hy·per·re·al·ist, noun
  • Non·re·al·ist, noun
  • Pro·re·al·ist, adjective, noun

Combinations Phrases With Realist

There are words that we use in combination with the word realist.

Realist Approach

Example: This critique also divides those who take a scientific realist approach to evaluation research.

Realist Novel

Example: Here, the chronicle is the training ground for narration, which is later re-inscribed into the magical realist novel.

Realist Perspective

Example: Within a traditional, realist perspective of international relations, this is quite a puzzle.

Realest

Pronunciation: [reeuh-list]

Meanings Of The Word Realest

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Realest As An Adjective

It is the superlative form of real: most real. The realest is (real). In slang, people refer to something or someone as “extremely authentic” or “exceptional.”

What Does ‘Realest’ Mean?

Realest is the superlative of real. In slang, people use it to refer to someone or something “extremely authentic” or “exceptional.”

Words that finish with the suffix –est compare to leanest, meanest, sexiest, richest, funniest, etc. The suffix –est gets the most of the base word. If someone is the finest, someone is the finest out of the fine, which means their fine level is the highest it can be. Do you understand?

Now, the word ‘real.’ You can practice realism, an art and literary term describing an art or literary movement. There are realist artists and writers who create/write using realism. There is not just one ‘Realist’; therefore, it’s impossible to refer to someone as ‘the realist’ because of many Realists. The –est suffix fits the best use when talking about being true, genuine, and loyal. In terms of saying, the correct word for “I’m genuine” is REALEST.

Origin Of The Word Realist

The word ‘real’ dates back to the 14th century, meaning “existing” or “true.” Some related terms are Reality and realize. By rules of English grammar, realest is the superlative form of real, or the “most real” idea or thing.

Real’s sense of ‘true’ was related to a person’s “honest” qualities. Marco Frascari and Federica Goffi used it in House and Garden back in 1923: “It is not a bad idea to locate one’s dream house in imagination first. It is inexpensive in upkeep and gives one time to mull over one’s innermost—and therefore realest—longings.”

Maybe growing out of expressions from the 19th-century, such as the real McCoy (“the genuine article”). Real escalated in slang in the late 19th century: for real, keep it real and get real, all variously meaning being “rooted” and “authenticity.” By the 1990s, found in hip-hop slang by 1994, realest extended as a slang descriptor, for “exceptional,” used with other terms like illest and chillest, all delivering “best.” Realest specifically keeps a sense of “trustworthy and relatable,” especially in the 2000s of politicians, celebrities, or other known and public figures when they show their side, or real, sides.

How Do People Use The Word Realest?

Realest In Hip Hop Culture

Rapper Iggy Azalea uses the word in the first line of her song “Fancy,” even before the song exploded, the phrase was popular. In the 1990s, Tupac had a song with ‘realist’ in the title.

In regards to meaning, the phrase “being real” is a notable thing. In hip-hop culture, “being real” means being loyal and genuine to someone’s roots. Someone real won’t allow superficial things to infiltrate their down-to-earth mentality. They won’t allow money, fame, and notoriety to change their honesty.

Who Uses The Word ‘Realest’?

‘Realest’ is especially present on social media and in slang speech. In slang, this means someone who is the realest is the “best” in that they are original and down-to-earth— sometimes vulnerably — true to who they are and treat others the same way.

Talking about a person as the realest is a signal of respect for their consistent loyalty, talent, dedication, or other good qualities. In such a way, realest generalizes as a slang word for “excellent.” Therefore, referring to oneself as the realest could be seen as boastful or performative, while telling a person an opinion that is the realest may deliver a truth that is hard to understand.

Examples Of Realist And Realest In Sentences

Realist

  • A playful mimicry of the techniques of realist writers.
  • A realist in his bones, Putin recognizes Russia’s changed status.
  • But the realist in her tends to doubt things.
  • It’s a magical realist novel.
  • No, you’re a realist who holds out hope.

Realest

  • For me, the realest moment is now.
  • It was the realest dream I’ve ever had.
  • It’s the realest thing I know.
  • We’re the realest people.
  • You’re the realest person I’ve ever met in the abstract.
  • You are the realest person I know.

Conclusion

If you are texting a person and want to say that “you are genuine,” you might write ‘realest.’ However, suppose you’re using software to check your spelling and grammar. Then, it will change automatically to ‘realist,’ which is the proper way to say it.

Whether you refer to any of these terms in slang or use it in a philosophy topic, remember one is the formal way while the other is informal.