Surreal
adjective
Like a strange dream. It's not normal or real, but weird, fantastic and sometimes scary.
The scene after the earthquake was completely surreal, with houses turned upside down and roads swallowed by the earth.
Often appears as...
- surreal experience
- surreal landscape
adjective
In art and literature, it refers to works that express irrational, dreamlike images and unconscious thoughts.
Salvador Dali's work is often described as surreal because it's full of weird images that feel like they come from a dream.
Often appears as...
- surreal art
- surreal imagery
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Like a strange dream. It's not normal or real, but weird, fantastic and sometimes scary.
The scene after the earthquake was completely surreal, with houses turned upside down and roads swallowed by the earth.
Often appears as...
- surreal experience
- surreal landscape
adjective
In art and literature, it refers to works that express irrational, dreamlike images and unconscious thoughts.
Salvador Dali's work is often described as surreal because it's full of weird images that feel like they come from a dream.
Often appears as...
- surreal art
- surreal imagery
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Unreal Quality
Describes something so unusual it seems out of this world, almost dream-like.
The magician's performance was surreal; I couldn't believe my eyes.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Negative Only
While often used in weird or unsettling contexts, 'surreal' can describe pleasantly unusual experiences too.
Walking through the rainbow lit mist of the waterfall felt surreal.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Twist
Used when reality takes a surprising turn that disrupts the ordinary.
Seeing the horse in the school hallway was surreal.
Pro Tip 1/3Unreal Quality
Describes something so unusual it seems out of this world, almost dream-like.
The magician's performance was surreal; I couldn't believe my eyes.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Negative Only
While often used in weird or unsettling contexts, 'surreal' can describe pleasantly unusual experiences too.
Walking through the rainbow lit mist of the waterfall felt surreal.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Twist
Used when reality takes a surprising turn that disrupts the ordinary.
Seeing the horse in the school hallway was surreal.
Pro Tip 1/3Unreal Quality
Describes something so unusual it seems out of this world, almost dream-like.
The magician's performance was surreal; I couldn't believe my eyes.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Negative Only
While often used in weird or unsettling contexts, 'surreal' can describe pleasantly unusual experiences too.
Walking through the rainbow lit mist of the waterfall felt surreal.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Twist
Used when reality takes a surprising turn that disrupts the ordinary.
Seeing the horse in the school hallway was surreal.
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Video examples
A Rare Look Into the...
It was the first time that I understood how I connected to that country and how surreal and how I connected as a photographer. But also it was the first time I realized how important the work that I could do there, if I could only invest my time and commit to the place. Now it wasn't easy at the beginning. Everyone watches you there.
Video examples
Rufus Griscom and Alisa...
This picture is from literally a few seconds after the baby was placed in my hands and I brought him over. And you can see, our eyes were glistening. I was overwhelmed with love and affection for my wife, with deep, deep gratitude that we had what appeared to be a healthy child. And it was also, of course, surreal.
Video examples
Why are these 32 symbols...
You now walk the same path as these early artists. And in this surreal, otherworldly place, it's almost possible to imagine that you hear the muffled footfall of skin boots on soft earth, or that you see the flickering of a torch around the next bend. When I'm in a cave,
Video examples
The Surreal World of...
subtly these early morning hikers walked into the scenes and I said thank you very much but five minutes later when the stun started creeping across the pan the magic is gone because now it no longer looks quite as surreal as it did in that
Video examples
The Khan Academy PIPE...
kelipah - a bachelor seems was it well oh ah ah what is that on all today on our team does it move the sultry squeeze importance and you know it's it's kind of surreal for me that this you know this literally was starting to walk in
Video examples
Why should you read...
He also cultivated a mysterious persona, and refused to confirm or deny any speculations about the meaning of his work. This kept audiences guessing, increasing their fascination with his surreal worlds and enigmatic characters.
Video examples
Stopping Pandemics, An...
but nothing is untouched work school family life milestones like graduations and sadly funerals even the act of taking a walk or going to the grocery store can feel surreal all of us pine for
Video examples
Diving 1000m Below The...
scattered all over the seafloor and it was the most surreal experience to be working at over one and a half kilometers depth in the deep sea a part of the deep sea that no one had been to
Video examples
Sting: How I started...
but quickly I learned to play it and realized that I'd found a friend for life, an accomplice, a co-conspirator in my plan to escape from this surreal industrial landscape.
Video examples
A String of Shark...
and launches him out of the water. He screams for help. - Help! - Everyone in the water is stunned. - It was very surreal.
Video examples
A Rare Look Into the...
It was the first time that I understood how I connected to that country and how surreal and how I connected as a photographer. But also it was the first time I realized how important the work that I could do there, if I could only invest my time and commit to the place. Now it wasn't easy at the beginning. Everyone watches you there.
Video examples
Rufus Griscom and Alisa...
This picture is from literally a few seconds after the baby was placed in my hands and I brought him over. And you can see, our eyes were glistening. I was overwhelmed with love and affection for my wife, with deep, deep gratitude that we had what appeared to be a healthy child. And it was also, of course, surreal.
Video examples
Why are these 32 symbols...
You now walk the same path as these early artists. And in this surreal, otherworldly place, it's almost possible to imagine that you hear the muffled footfall of skin boots on soft earth, or that you see the flickering of a torch around the next bend. When I'm in a cave,
Video examples
The Surreal World of...
subtly these early morning hikers walked into the scenes and I said thank you very much but five minutes later when the stun started creeping across the pan the magic is gone because now it no longer looks quite as surreal as it did in that
Video examples
The Khan Academy PIPE...
kelipah - a bachelor seems was it well oh ah ah what is that on all today on our team does it move the sultry squeeze importance and you know it's it's kind of surreal for me that this you know this literally was starting to walk in
Video examples
Why should you read...
He also cultivated a mysterious persona, and refused to confirm or deny any speculations about the meaning of his work. This kept audiences guessing, increasing their fascination with his surreal worlds and enigmatic characters.
Video examples
Stopping Pandemics, An...
but nothing is untouched work school family life milestones like graduations and sadly funerals even the act of taking a walk or going to the grocery store can feel surreal all of us pine for
Video examples
Diving 1000m Below The...
scattered all over the seafloor and it was the most surreal experience to be working at over one and a half kilometers depth in the deep sea a part of the deep sea that no one had been to
Video examples
Sting: How I started...
but quickly I learned to play it and realized that I'd found a friend for life, an accomplice, a co-conspirator in my plan to escape from this surreal industrial landscape.
Video examples
A String of Shark...
and launches him out of the water. He screams for help. - Help! - Everyone in the water is stunned. - It was very surreal.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Heather Brooke
American Journalist
It is quite surreal having a film made about your life. The whole process of turning real life into drama is interesting in itself, but even more so when it is your own life being put into the narrative forge.
Quote examples
Nick Viall
American Actor
Zero G is such a surreal experience, and something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Quote examples
Ezra Koenig
American Musician
Musicals don't get enough credit for being so surreal. It's like an alternate universe.
Quote examples
Michelle Wolf
American Comedian
I've watched 'The Daily Show' forever. So being a part of it is surreal.
Quote examples
Adam Cole
American Wrestler
Being the first-ever three-time ROH world champion is pretty surreal.
Quote examples
Jesmyn Ward
American Novelist
A lot of times, real life is more surreal than writing.
Quote examples
Lee Pearson
British Athlete
My life's been surreal from start to finish.
Quote examples
Sia
Australian Musician
Life is pretty surreal and awesome.
Quote examples
Kenneth Branagh
Irish Actor
Life is surreal and beautiful.
Quote examples
Bob Sapp
My world is so surreal.
Quote examples
Heather Brooke
American Journalist
It is quite surreal having a film made about your life. The whole process of turning real life into drama is interesting in itself, but even more so when it is your own life being put into the narrative forge.
Quote examples
Nick Viall
American Actor
Zero G is such a surreal experience, and something that is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Quote examples
Ezra Koenig
American Musician
Musicals don't get enough credit for being so surreal. It's like an alternate universe.
Quote examples
Michelle Wolf
American Comedian
I've watched 'The Daily Show' forever. So being a part of it is surreal.
Quote examples
Adam Cole
American Wrestler
Being the first-ever three-time ROH world champion is pretty surreal.
Quote examples
Jesmyn Ward
American Novelist
A lot of times, real life is more surreal than writing.
Quote examples
Lee Pearson
British Athlete
My life's been surreal from start to finish.
Quote examples
Sia
Australian Musician
Life is pretty surreal and awesome.
Quote examples
Kenneth Branagh
Irish Actor
Life is surreal and beautiful.
Quote examples
Bob Sapp
My world is so surreal.
Example 1 of 10
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