realize

American  

[ree-uh-lahyz] / ˈri əˌlaɪz /

especially British, realise

verb (used with object)

realized, realizing

1. to grasp or understand clearly.

   Synonyms:

   comprehend, conceive

   Antonyms:

   misunderstand

2. to make real; give reality to (a hope, fear, plan, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   effect, accomplish

3. to bring vividly to the mind.

4. to convert into cash or money.

   to realize securities.

5. to obtain as a profit or income for oneself by trade, labor, or investment.

6. to bring as proceeds, as from a sale.

   The goods realized $1000.

7. Music. to sight-read on a keyboard instrument or write out in notation the full harmony and ornamentation indicated by (a figured bass).

8. 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.”

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verb (used without object)

realized, realizing

1. to convert property or goods into cash or money.

realize British  

/ ˈrɪəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to become conscious or aware of (something)

2. (tr, often passive) to bring (a plan, ambition, etc) to fruition; make actual or concrete

3. (tr) to give (something, such as a drama or film) the appearance of reality

4. (tr) (of goods, property, etc) to sell for or make (a certain sum)

   this table realized £800

5. (tr) to convert (property or goods) into cash

6. (tr)

   1. to expand or complete (a thorough-bass part in a piece of baroque music) by supplying the harmonies indicated in the figured bass

   2. to reconstruct (a composition) from an incomplete set of parts

7. to sound or utter (a phoneme or other speech sound) in actual speech; articulate

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Related Words

See imagine.

Other Word Forms

• hyperrealize verb (used with object)
• nonrealizable adjective
• nonrealizing adjective
• prerealize verb (used with object)
• realizability noun
• realizable adjective
• realizableness noun
• realizably adverb
• realization noun
• realizer noun
• underrealize verb (used with object)
• unrealize verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of realize

First recorded in 1605–15; from French réaliser, Middle French, equivalent to real real ¹ + -iser -ize

Example Sentences

SpaceX and Tesla are tapping Intel to help the pair realize their AI dreams.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Unlike the city’s homicide detectives, her students in the department of criminology and criminal justice had nothing but time on their hands, even if they didn’t always realize it.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Once you understand the fears and motivations of undocumented immigrants, you realize that most of what’s said about them makes no sense.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

In a new Intuit poll, 81% of parents said their current financial stress has made them realize how important it is to teach their kids about money.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

‘Torak,’ she said, ‘you do realize that when we track Wolf, we’ll also be tracking the bear?’

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• comprehend
• get
• grasp
• know
• recognize
• think
• understand