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
Scammers often create sites that appear close to the real thing but include extra words, odd spelling or strange endings.
—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
The investor who wanted the real thing can no longer find it.
—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Prakashan, who holds a mechanical engineering degree, knows his elephant is far from the real thing.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
In 1998, Nike’s Mercurial became one of the more influential shoes to use synthetic leather instead of the real thing.
—
Mack Degeurin,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for the real thing
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Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
The investor who wanted the real thing can no longer find it.
—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2026
Prakashan, who holds a mechanical engineering degree, knows his elephant is far from the real thing.
—
ABC News,
3 July 2026
In 1998, Nike’s Mercurial became one of the more influential shoes to use synthetic leather instead of the real thing.
—
Mack Degeurin,
Popular Science,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for the real thing
Cite this Entry
“The real thing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20real%20thing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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