reallife

Real life, sometimes stylized as reallife in branding or online handles, refers to the actual world and the physical existence of people and events outside of digital, fictional, or simulated environments. The term is commonly used to distinguish everyday offline experiences from those that occur online, in games, or in media representations.

In common usage, the abbreviation RL or IRL stands for “in real life,” a shorthand frequently seen in social media, forums, and gaming communities. The concatenated form “reallife” is less standard but appears in product names, usernames, and titles to convey authenticity or a non-virtual context.

Sociologically, real life encompasses tangible activities such as work, study, family, friendships, and public life. It is bounded by physical presence, time, and social norms, and is associated with privacy considerations and real-world consequences that may differ from online behavior.

In media and technology, the term helps frame discussions about the boundary between virtual experiences and real-world actions, including issues of identity, privacy, and safety when online interactions intersect with everyday life.

Related terms include real life (two words), real-world, RL, and IRL.