true-life

adjective

ˈtrü-ˈlīf How to pronounce true-life (audio)
: true to life
a true-life story

Examples of true-life in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The project is based on the true-life story of Ed Levien, a Maryland resident who became a volunteer EMT in his 60s after a successful career in advertising. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 And for Netflix, Bayona helmed Society of the Snow, a drama based on the true-life tale of the Uruguayan 1972 Andes flight disaster. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 Nattiv plays this true-life story out like a thriller—his film is moody and tense—but what gives the proceedings undeniable force is Carrie Coon’s performance as Rita Cooper. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026 In any case, knowing a little bit about the true-life episode that inspired its fantastical reimagining will certainly help viewers connect with its cryptic choices. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for true-life

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of true-life was in 1926

Rhymes for true-life

See All Rhymes for true-life

Browse Nearby Words

True Leveller
true-life
truelove
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“True-life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true-life. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All