Not true. The declaration that something is real isn't a universal imperative. Even on this thread you'll find the contrary position that 'time doesn't exist and is probably 'unreal'.

Another example to illustrate my point is if I asked you whether ghosts are real. Many would say ghosts aren't real. But is the question of ghosts being real equivalent to that of ghosts being existent? Some thought will show that something real doesn't always exist and not all existent things are real!

The other point was highlighted by Wittgenstein; words, symbols, are not supported by concrete things ultimately. Words end up in more words such that speech has to be justified by action and experience. The word worth uttering is one which has political objectives.

@Tycho now you've taken us to square one. Does time exist? YES. But it depends on your definition of time. From where I sit, time is simply derived from interelationship btwn speed and distance. Eg Speed of light/ distance = time. What's your definition?

We just have no capability. It's like asking safari ants somewhere on Mt. kenya, to figure out the entire country. Do you see how impossible that would be? Yet, in their world, they know they are the best in building their kingdom, protecting it etc etc.

We are probably that 'small' in perspective to bigger things(beings) out there.

I think we're always on 'square one'. But we can come back to this later.

I think 'time' is more real than existent. You agree with this sense when you say 'it's definition varies'. A good test would be to ask, 'where does time exist'? If we happen not to know where time exists and how we can direct someone to it, then we can safely assume it doesn't exist but is real - significant.

When it's real, then not only can definitions vary but they can also conflict. Reality is a political construct. What's the average lifespan of a housefly with respect to a human? A housefly? Whose time exists and where?....

Humans study ants and in the same breath, the sun. Do ants study humans? Do they have a CERN equivalent? Man has good reason to believe he's special.

Even 'God' we can contemplate...