realize

[ ree-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈri əˌlaɪz /

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.

Nearby words

reality testing, reality tv, reality-based, realizable, realization, realize, reallocate, really, realm, realpolitik, realtor

Also especially British, re·al·ise.

Origin of realize

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

SYNONYMS FOR realize

1 conceive, comprehend.

2 accomplish, effect.

3 See imagine.

ANTONYMS FOR realize

1 misunderstand.

Related forms

re·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, 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for realising

Realising the end was near, he asked to be flown back to England.
Goodbye to My Hero|William Dalrymple|June 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It is this form, or rather this degree, of æstheticism, which so often prevents our realising the higher æsthetic harmonies.
Laurus Nobilis|Vernon Lee
She had made a mistake, and, realising this at the eleventh hour, she had had the force of character to correct it.
The Girl on the Boat|Pelham Grenville Wodehouse
He paused, realising the crisis in which David was moving, and that perils were thick around their footsteps.
The Weavers, Complete|Gilbert Parker

Our eyes met, and we stood petrified, realising the impossibility of concealing our names.
To Tell You the Truth|Leonard Merrick
He commenced to have hopes of realising his ambition after all.
Settling Day|Nat Gould

British Dictionary definitions for realising

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 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 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.

realize

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

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

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Origin of realize

Examples from the Web for realising

British Dictionary definitions for realising

realize

realise

verb

Word Origin and History for realising

realize