realize

[ree-uh-lahyz]

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.

Also especially British, re·al·ise.

Origin of realize

1605–15; < French réaliser, Middle French, equivalent to real real¹ + -iser -ize

Related formsre·al·iz·a·ble, adjectivere·al·iz·a·bil·i·ty, re·al·iz·a·ble·ness, nounre·al·iz·a·bly, adverbre·al·iz·er, nounhy·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.

Synonyms for realize

1. conceive, comprehend. 2. accomplish, effect. 3. See imagine.

Antonyms for realize

1. misunderstand.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for realise

Contemporary Examples of realise

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
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

Historical Examples of realise

They will know nothing of life till they do,—and natures like his can realise it.
De Profundis
Oscar Wilde
It helps one, or should help one, to realise both, and not to be too conceited about either.
De Profundis
Oscar Wilde
Simply because otherwise he would be unable to realise what he had done.
De Profundis
Oscar Wilde
Her great distress was to realise that she was alone in the obscurity at such moments.
The Dream
Emile Zola
It is not difficult to realise what a strong position this was.
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
Sir Winston S. Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for realise

realize

realise

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 Formsrealizable 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

Word Origin and History for realise

chiefly British English spelling of realize; for suffix, see -ize. Related: Realisation; realised; realising.

realize

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.