French word

irréaliste

Pronunciation

IPA/iʁealist/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunrealistic

Example

Ton projet est irréaliste.

Your project is unrealistic.

Illustration for irréaliste (unrealistic)

More examples

Cette idée me semble irréaliste.

This idea seems unrealistic.

Core concept

An expectation built without enough contact with the facts needed to fulfill it.

Common phrases

  • idée irréaliste

    unrealistic idea

  • objectif irréaliste

    unrealistic goal

  • attentes irréalistes

    unrealistic expectations

Similar words

irréalisable: Impossible to achieve under real-world conditions.
utopique: Idealistic and difficult to put into practice.
chimérique: Fanciful and detached from practical reality.
rêveur: Dreamy and detached from everyday reality.

Definition in French

Qui décrit une idée, une attente ou un projet qui ne tient pas compte des contraintes pratiques et paraît difficilement réalisable.

Word origin

The word is formed by placing the negative prefix ir- before réaliste, which derives from réel and the suffix -iste, ultimately from Latin res.

Usage tips

  • Irréaliste can sound blunt in criticism, so peu réaliste often presents the same judgment more gently.

Other meanings

  • fancifuladjective

Opposites

Related words

  • irréalismeunrealismnoun

Word lists with this word