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surreal

Surreal (adjective) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

adjective

IPA:

/səˈrɪəl/

What does surreal mean?

Having a strange and inexplicable experience with a dream-like quality.
"She found the art exhibit surreal, with its twisted and distorted figures."

Detailed Meaning of Surreal

Surreal refers to something that is characterized by a combination of elements that are incongruous or impossible in reality, or that are bizarre or dreamlike. The term comes from the French word surréalisme, which means "superrealism" or "above reality." Surrealism is an art movement that emerged in the 1920s and was characterized by the use of images and symbols that were meant to evoke the subconscious and challenge the viewer's perception of reality.

In literature, art and cinema, surrealism can be characterized by the use of elements that are dreamlike, fantastical and illogical, often creating a sense of disorientation or confusion in the viewer. Some examples of surreal art and literature include the works of Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, and Franz Kafka.

In general, the term surreal can be used to describe anything that has a quality of being dreamlike, fantastical or illogical, and it can be used to describe various forms of expression like art, literature, cinema, and even everyday experiences that are strange or disorienting.

Example Sentences for Surreal

1. Walking through the abandoned amusement park was a surreal experience.
2. The surreal painting transported me to a dreamlike world.
3. It felt surreal to finally hold the award in my hands.
4. The surreal beauty of the sunset left us speechless.
5. The surreal atmosphere of the carnival made it feel like a different reality.
6. It was a surreal moment when I found myself standing on the edge of a volcano.

Origin and Etymology of Surreal

The adjective 'surreal' has its etymological origins in French. It is derived from the French word 'surréalisme,' which was coined in the early 20th century by poet Guillaume Apollinaire. The term 'surréalisme' combines 'sur,' meaning 'above' or 'beyond,' and 'réalisme,' meaning 'realism.' In this context, 'surreal' signifies something that goes beyond or transcends reality, evoking a sense of strangeness, otherworldliness, or dream-like quality. This term is commonly used to describe experiences, art, or situations that feel detached from conventional reality, often characterized by unexpected juxtapositions, bizarre imagery, or a sense of the uncanny. 'Surrealism' as an art movement, led by figures like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte, aimed to explore the irrational and the subconscious, further popularizing the use of 'surreal' to convey the inexplicable and the fantastical.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective surreal:

ordinary

realistic

commonplace

dreamlike

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Surreal

1. The surreal nature of the movie challenged our perception of reality.
2. Stepping into the futuristic museum was like entering a surreal dimension.
3. The surreal landscape of the desert was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
4. It was surreal to witness the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky.
5. The abandoned house had a surreal aura of mystery and intrigue.
6. The surreal encounter with a wild dolphin left us in awe of nature's wonders.
7. He found the experience surreal, as if she was in a parallel universe.
8. The dream was so surreal that he couldn't shake it off even after he woke up.
9. She described the experience as surreal, like something out of a dream.
10. He found the landscape surreal, with its twisted, misshapen trees.
11. It had surreal storyline as if it were written about her.
12. She found the image surreal, as if it had been photoshopped.
13. He felt like he was in a surreal world, where the laws of physics didn't apply.
14. He found the movie surreal, with its twisted plot and strange characters.
15. She found the situation surreal, as if she was living in a nightmare.
16. He found the music surreal, with its twisted and distorted sounds.
17. She found the view from the top of the skyscraper surreal, as if she was looking down on another world.
18. He found the advertisement surreal, with its twisted and distorted message.