French word

surréaliste

Pronunciation

IPA/syʁʁealist/

Meaning

  • adjectivesurreal

Example

Cette scène est surréaliste.

This scene is surreal.

Illustration for surréaliste (surreal)

More examples

Ce film est surréaliste.

This film is surreal.

Core concept

A familiar scene with dreamlike details that make reality feel strangely distorted.

Common phrases

  • un film surréaliste

    a surreal film

  • une image surréaliste

    a surreal image

Similar words

incroyable: So astonishing or moving that it is hard to believe.
étrange: Unusual in a way that feels puzzling or mysterious.
irréel: Seeming not to be real or to have actually happened.
absurde: Contrary to reason or common sense, making no sense.

Definition in French

Qui qualifie une scène, une situation ou une impression qui paraît irréelle ou sortie d'un rêve, souvent par des éléments inattendus.

Word origin

The adjective derives from French surréalisme, formed with sur- meaning beyond and réaliste, for what goes beyond ordinary realism.

Usage tips

  • Surréaliste has the same form in the masculine and feminine, but its plural is surréalistes.

Other meanings

  • unrealadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • surréalismesurrealismnoun

Word lists with this word