irrealism

I1R1R1E1A1L1I1S1M3

noun

The belief that phenomenalism and physicalism are alternative "world-versions", both useful in some circumstances, but neither capable of fully capturing the other.

Scrabble 11
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounirrealism (usually uncountable, plural irrealisms)

plural irrealisms

  1. uncountableusuallyhuman sciencesThe belief that phenomenalism and physicalism are alternative "world-versions", both useful in some circumstances, but neither capable of fully capturing the other.
  2. uncountableusuallyartA style that features an estrangement from our generally accepted sense of reality.

Origin

From irreal + -ism.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

irrealism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irrealism

MLA

“irrealism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irrealism. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “irrealism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/irrealism.

Source: irrealism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.