Surreal Meaning and Definition

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Surreal

Surreal

Pronunciation

/ˌsɜːˈriəl/

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Belonging to or characteristic of an unreal or illogical dream world; strange and impossible to believe.

A style of art that seeks to express the subconscious, often with dream-like imagery and a blurring of reality and fantasy.

Examples

  • The surreal landscape was a maze of twisting tunnels and colorful murals.
  • The artist’s painting was a surreal representation of the human experience.

Synonyms

  • Abnormal
  • Unrealistic
  • Fanciful

Antonyms

  • Realistic
  • Rational
  • Practical

Etymology

The word ‘surreal’ comes from the French word ‘surréalisme’, which was coined by French poet Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917. The term was later popularized by the surrealist art movement of the 1920s and 1930s.

Usage Notes

The term ‘surreal’ is often used to describe art, literature, and film that blends reality and fantasy. It can also be used to describe a state of mind or a feeling that is impossible to put into words.

When using the word ‘surreal’, it’s essential to consider the context in which it’s being used. In artistic and creative contexts, ‘surreal’ can be a positive term, implying a sense of innovation and originality. However, in more practical or scientific contexts, ‘surreal’ can be a negative term, implying a lack of reality or a state of confusion.

Cultural References

The term ‘surreal’ has been used in various cultural references, including:

  • The surrealist art movement of the 1920s and 1930s, which sought to explore the world of dreams and the subconscious.
  • The film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968), which featured a surreal and iconic depiction of a mysterious monolith.
  • The music of artists such as David Lynch and Brian Eno, who have explored the boundaries of reality and fantasy in their work.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some idiomatic expressions and phrases that include the word ‘surreal’ are:

  • ‘A surreal experience’, meaning a dream-like or illogical experience.
  • ‘Surrealist art’, referring to a style of art that seeks to express the subconscious.
  • ‘In a surreal world’, implying a sense of confusion or unreality.

Related Words or Phrases

Some words and phrases that are related to the word ‘surreal’ are:

  • Illogical, meaning unreasonable or unexplainable.
  • Unrealistic, meaning lacking reality or practicality.
  • Phantasmagoric, meaning fanciful or imaginative.

Collocations

Some common collocations with the word ‘surreal’ are:

  • ‘Surreal dreams’, referring to dreams that are illogical or impossible to believe.
  • ‘Surreal landscapes’, referring to dream-like or fantastical environments.
  • ‘Surreal experiences’, referring to experiences that are impossible to put into words.

Frequency of Use

The word ‘surreal’ is relatively rare in everyday language, but it is commonly used in artistic and creative contexts. According to the Oxford English Corpus, the word ‘surreal’ is used in approximately 1 in 100,000 words in everyday language.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings of the word ‘surreal’ are:

  • ‘Surreal’
  • ‘Surrealistic’
  • ‘Surrealist’