1 [U] the way life really is, not the way it may appear to be or how you would like it to be 现实:
I enjoyed my holiday, but now it's back to reality.我假期过得很愉快,但现在要返回现实了。We have to face reality and accept that we've failed.我们得面对现实,承认已经失败。
2 [C] a thing that is actually experienced, not just imagined 事实;实际情况:
Films portray war as heroic and exciting, but the reality is very different.电影把战争刻画得又壮烈又刺激,但事实却相差很远。
in reality in fact, really (not the way sth appears or has been described) 事实上;实际上:
People say this is an exciting city but in reality it's rather boring.人们说这是个充满刺激的城市,事实上却相当沉闷。