réelle

Réelle is the feminine form of the French adjective réel, meaning real, genuine, or actual. It describes a feminine noun and conveys authenticity or factuality, as in une histoire réelle (a real story) or une valeur réelle (a real value).

Etymology and form: The term derives from Latin realis, through Old French réel. In French, adjectives agree with the gender and number of the nouns they modify, so the masculine form is réel and the feminine form is réelle (plural féminine réelles).

Usage in language and mathematics: In everyday French, réelle modifies feminine nouns to express reality or authenticity. In mathematics and related disciplines, the masculine plural réels denotes the set of real numbers (les nombres réels). The feminine form réelle appears when describing feminine nouns, for example une fonction réelle (a real-valued function) or une valeur réelle (a real value). The concept contrasts with irréel or irréelle (unreal).

Onomastics and culture: Réelle is not a common given name in French-speaking regions, though rare uses can occur in fiction, branding, or artistic contexts. It may be encountered as a surname in limited cases, but it is not standard practice.

See also: réel, réalité, nombres réels.