realize
[ree-uh-lahyz]
- to grasp or understand clearly.
- to make real; give reality to (a hope, fear, plan, etc.).
- to bring vividly to the mind.
- to convert into cash or money: to realize securities.
- to obtain as a profit or income for oneself by trade, labor, or investment.
- to bring as proceeds, as from a sale: The goods realized $1000.
- Music. to sight-read on a keyboard instrument or write out in notation the full harmony and ornamentation indicated by (a figured bass).
- Linguistics. to serve as an instance, representation, or embodiment of (an abstract linguistic element or category): In “Jack tripped,” the subject is realized by “Jack,” the predicate by “tripped,” and the past tense by “-ed.”
Show More
- to convert property or goods into cash or money.
Show More
Also especially British, re·al·ise.
Origin of realize
Synonyms
Antonyms
1. misunderstand.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for realise
Contemporary Examples
We realise the Sea King fleet is ageing and welcome the investment in new aircraft.
And I admire Rembrandt too much not to realise the beauty that can be derived from frequenting the synagogue.
Historical Examples
They will know nothing of life till they do,—and natures like his can realise it.
De ProfundisOscar Wilde
It helps one, or should help one, to realise both, and not to be too conceited about either.
De ProfundisOscar Wilde
Simply because otherwise he would be unable to realise what he had done.
De ProfundisOscar Wilde
Her great distress was to realise that she was alone in the obscurity at such moments.
The DreamEmile Zola
It is not difficult to realise what a strong position this was.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
realize
realise
- (when tr, may take a clause as object) to become conscious or aware of (something)
- (tr, often passive) to bring (a plan, ambition, etc) to fruition; make actual or concrete
- (tr) to give (something, such as a drama or film) the appearance of reality
- (tr) (of goods, property, etc) to sell for or make (a certain sum)this table realized £800
- (tr) to convert (property or goods) into cash
- (tr) (of a musicologist or performer)
- to expand or complete (a thorough-bass part in a piece of baroque music) by supplying the harmonies indicated in the figured bass
- to reconstruct (a composition) from an incomplete set of parts
- to sound or utter (a phoneme or other speech sound) in actual speech; articulate
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for realise
realize
v.
1610s, "bring into existence," from French réaliser "make real" (16c.), from Middle French real "actual" (see real (adj.)). Sense of "understand clearly, make real in the mind" is first recorded 1775. Sense of "obtain, amass" is from 1753. Related: Realized; realizing.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper