realize

[ ree-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈri əˌlaɪz /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: realize / realized / realizes / realizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), re·al·ized, re·al·iz·ing.

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.”

verb (used without object), re·al·ized, re·al·iz·ing.

to convert property or goods into cash or money.

OTHER WORDS FOR realize

1 conceive, comprehend.

2 accomplish, effect.

See synonyms for realize on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR realize

1 misunderstand.

See antonyms for realize on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially British, re·al·ise .

Origin of realize

First recorded in 1605–15; from French réaliser, Middle French, equivalent to real real¹ + -iser -ize

synonym study for realize

3. See imagine.

OTHER WORDS FROM realize

re·al·iz·a·ble, adjectivere·al·iz·a·bil·i·ty

[ree-uh-lahyz-uh-bil-i-tee], /ri əˌlaɪz əˈbɪl ɪ ti/, re·al·iz·a·ble·ness, nounre·al·iz·a·bly, adverbre·al·iz·er, noun

hy·per·re·al·ize, verb (used with object), hy·per·re·al·ized, hy·per·re·al·iz·ing.non·re·al·iz·a·ble, adjectivenon·re·al·iz·ing, adjectivepre·re·al·ize, verb (used with object), pre·re·al·ized, pre·re·al·iz·ing.un·der·re·al·ize, verb (used with object), un·der·re·al·ized, un·der·re·al·iz·ing.un·re·al·ize, verb (used with object), un·re·al·ized, un·re·al·iz·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use realize in a sentence

I realized that I’ve been thinking about this for at least the last three years.
Christian Puglisi Is Closing His Influential Copenhagen Restaurants. COVID Is Only Partly to Blame|Rafael Tonon|September 17, 2020|Eater
“So much of this is realizing where we are, accepting where we are, and not anchoring our judgments of ourselves to what we were able to accomplish a year ago, but what does it look like today,” Rayl added.
‘Integrators’ and ‘separators’: How managers are helping the two types of remote workers survive the pandemic|Jen Wieczner|September 16, 2020|Fortune
Once I got to learn those techniques, I got to realize, I know how to do that.
Tom Colicchio Hopes (and Fears) COVID-19 Will Change the Restaurant Industry|Pallabi Munsi|September 16, 2020|Ozy
This past October, as Jacob Holm and Eva Rotenberg were thumbing through a paper they’d posted a few months earlier, they realized they had been sitting on something big.
A New Algorithm for Graph Crossings, Hiding in Plain Sight|Stephanie DeMarco|September 15, 2020|Quanta Magazine

The researchers realized that one variable was the source of the parasites.
‘Trained Immunity’ Offers Hope in Fight Against Coronavirus|Esther Landhuis|September 14, 2020|Quanta Magazine
We realise the Sea King fleet is ageing and welcome the investment in new aircraft.
Is The Real Reason William is Quitting Flying His New American Boss?|Tom Sykes|March 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
More likely, investors realise the ‘knock-on’ effects from a Cypriot default are literally incalculable.
Cyprus is Imploding, So Why Aren't Markets Freaking Out?|Megan McArdle|March 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Another said he didn't realise who Pippa was because she introduced herself by her full name, Philippa.
Pippa Middleton Joins Big Fat Belgian Hunt|Tom Sykes|January 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And I admire Rembrandt too much not to realise the beauty that can be derived from frequenting the synagogue.
David's Bookclub: Sodom and Gomorrah|David Frum|September 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They don't realise that for a man it isn't just something quite nice that's occasionally optional, like flower arranging.
I'm Not The Sort of Man Who Goes To Prostitutes|Louis Bernières|October 18, 2008|DAILY BEAST
His heart now beat high with hope, for he believed that he was about to realise his ancient dream.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
As he spoke he gesticulated slightly, and no second glance was needed to realise that he was a thorough-going cosmopolitan.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
If only they both come to realise it in their normal waking states his Double will cease these nocturnal excursions.
Three More John Silence Stories|Algernon Blackwood
He was enough of an artist to realise that nothing was out of place, that it was a home to rejoice in, to be proud of.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking
This year, for the first time, I have begun to realise that I am rather lonely here, in spite of many friends.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for realize

realize

realise

/ (ˈrɪəˌlaɪz) /

verb

(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

Derived forms of realize

realizable or realisable, adjectiverealizably or realisably, adverbrealization or realisation, nounrealizer or realiser, noun

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

realize

OTHER WORDS FOR realize

OPPOSITES FOR realize

Origin of realize

synonym study for realize

OTHER WORDS FROM realize

Words related to realize

How to use realize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for realize

realise

Derived forms of realize