the real thing

noun

: something that is genuine and not a copy or imitation : something that is truly valuable or important
The diamond turned out to be the real thing.
You've done very well in your training. Let's just hope you're ready for the real thing.

Examples of the real thing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But while middle-class parents empty their wallets on tchotchkes, billionaires hoard the real thing, with hedge fund managers, tech CEOs, and art collectors driving fossil prices ever higher. Catherine Baab-Muguira, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2025 To my ears the cluck of his call was even more seductive than the real thing. Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2025 To harness this superpower: Do: Practice in an environment that mirrors the real thing. Lorraine K. Lee, Contributor, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 It’s made from a luxe and soft silk material that drapes well and looks like the real thing. Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for the real thing

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The real thing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20real%20thing. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!