keep it real

keep·it·real
/ˈkiːp ɪt ˈɹiːl/

verb

To perform an individual’s experience of being black in the United States.

“A: I'm out, bro. B: Keep it real, son.”

Similar
keep it one hundred
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Meanings

verbkeep it real (third-person singular simple present keeps it real, present participle keeping it real, simple past and past participle kept it real)

present singular third person keeps it real · participle present keeping it real · participle past kept it real · past kept it real

  1. To perform an individual’s experience of being black in the United States.
  2. colloquialTo be authentic, to be true to oneself; to be cool.

    You can trust Pablo. He always keeps it real.

    Synonyms: keep it one hundred

  3. colloquialidiomaticIn the imperative, an exhortation used as a departing salutation.

    A: I'm out, bro. B: Keep it real, son.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo be authentic, to be true to oneself; to be cool.

Similar
keep it one hundred
Also see
keep it one hundredkeep it trill

Origin

From keep + it + real.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish być sobą, być autentycznym
  • być sobąto be authentic
  • być autentycznymto be authentic
  • trzymaj siędeparting salutation
Spanish ser genuino, ser auténtico
  • ser genuinoto be authentic
  • ser auténticoto be authentic
Cite this entry
APA

keep it real. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20it%20real

MLA

“keep it real.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20it%20real. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “keep it real,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/keep%20it%20real.

Source: keep it real on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.