Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense realizes, present participle realizing, past tense, past participle realizedregional note: in BRIT, also use realise
1. verb
If you realize that something is true, you become aware of that fact or understand it.
As soon as we realised something was wrong, we moved the children away. [VERB that]
People don't realize how serious this recession has actually been. [VERB wh]
Once they realised their mistake the phone was reconnected again. [VERB noun]
'That's my brother.'—'Oh, I hadn't realized.' [VERB]
Synonyms: become aware of, understand, recognize, appreciate More Synonyms of realize
realization (riːəlaɪzeɪʃən)Word forms: plural realizationsvariable noun [usu N that]
There is now a growing realisation that things cannot go on like this for much longer.
He nearly cried out at the sudden realization of how much Randall looked like him. [+ of]
Synonyms: awareness, understanding, recognition, perception More Synonyms of realize
2. verb [usually passive]
If your hopes, desires, or fears are realized, the things that you hope for, desire, or fear actually happen.
Straightaway our worst fears were realised. [beVERB-ed]
Those are our hopes; this clinical trial is to investigate whether those hopes willbe realised. [beVERB-ed]
realizationuncountable noun
...the realization of his worst fears. [+ of]
Synonyms: achievement, carrying-out, completion, accomplishment More Synonyms of realize
3. verb
When someone realizes a design or an idea, they make or organize something based on that design or idea.
[formal]
Various textile techniques will be explored to realise design possibilities. [VERB noun]
The kaleidoscopic quality of the book is brilliantly realised on stage. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: achieve, do, effect, complete More Synonyms of realize
4. verb
If someone or something realizes their potential, they do everything they are capable of doing, because they have been given the opportunity to do so.
The support systems to enable women to realize their potential at work are inadequate. [VERB noun]
The laser has not realised the potential that was expected of it. [VERB noun]
5. verb
If something realizes a particular amount of money when it is sold, that amount of money is paid for it.
[formal]
Last year's auction realised $48 million. [VERB noun]
realizationvariable noun
I took this course to assist the realisation of my assets for the benefit of my creditors. [+ of]
More Synonyms of realize
realize in British English
or realise (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. (transitive)
to give (something, such as a drama or film) the appearance of reality
4. (transitive)
(of goods, property, etc) to sell for or make (a certain sum)
this table realized £800
5. (transitive)
to convert (property or goods) into cash
6. (transitive)(of a musicologist or performer)
a.
to expand or complete (a thorough-bass part in a piece of baroque music) by supplying the harmonies indicated in the figured bass
b.
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
Derived forms
realizable (ˈrealˌizable) or realisable (ˈrealˌisable)
adjective
realizably (ˈrealˌizably) or realisably (ˈrealˌisably)
adverb
realization (ˌrealiˈzation) or realisation (ˌrealiˈsation)
noun
realizer (ˈrealˌizer) or realiser (ˈrealˌiser)
noun
realize in American English
(ˈriəˌlaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈrealˌized or ˈrealˌizing
1.
to make real; bring into being; achieve
2.
to make appear real
3.
to understand fully; apprehend
4.
to convert (assets, rights, etc.) into money
5.
to gain; obtain
to realize a profit
6.
to be sold for, or bring as profit (a specified sum)
Derived forms
realizable (ˈrealˌizable)
adjective
realizer (ˈrealˌizer)
noun
Word origin
Fr réaliser
Examples of 'realize' in a sentence
realize
We must move if we are to realize our full potential and quality of life.
Lamplugh, Diana & Sterwin, Diana & Nottidge, Pamela Survive the Nine to Five - a woman's guide to working well (1989)
And after about five years they really realize something about writing.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
The potential to realize economies of scale can be limited for a variety of reasons.
Pass, Christopher, Lowes, Bryan Collins Dictionary of Economics (1993)
All at once he had realized something to the full.
Frances Hodgson Burnett The Secret Garden (1911)
Are we growing our smaller and mediumsized companies and realizing their potential?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Many extremely busy women fit in exercise because they realize its benefits pay them back many times over.
Christianity Today (2000)
Democratic liberty becomes the liberty to pursue and realize individual potential within the framework of an egalitarian society.
Roper, Jon Democracy and its Critics - Anglo-American democratic thought in the nineteenth century (1989)
The pity of it is that gardeners and designers fail to realize how much they have to learn from one another.
Eddison, Sydney A Patchwork Garden: Unexpected Pleasures from a Country Garden (1990)
She clutched her belly again, realizing there had been no movement in there for some time.
Tepper, Sheri S. A Plague of Angels (1993)
If one becomes involved with such a person, one gradually realizes that somethingis basically wrong.
Randolph, Theron G. & Moss, Ralph W. (contributor) An Alternative Approach to Allergies (1990)
Sara realized how much practice he had had when he spoke to her in his nice, encouraging voice.
Frances Hodgson Burnett A Little Princess (1905)
In other languages
realize
British English: realize /ˈrɪəˌlaɪz/ VERB
If you realize that something is true, you become aware of that fact or understand it.
People don't realize how serious this is.
They slowly realized that there were going to be big changes.
American English: realize
Arabic: يُدْرِكُ
Brazilian Portuguese: perceber
Chinese: 认识到
Croatian: uvidjeti
Czech: uvědomit si
Danish: indse
Dutch: realiseren (zich)
European Spanish: percatarse de
Finnish: tajuta
French: réaliser se rendre compte
German: erkennen
Greek: συνειδητοποιώ
Italian: realizzare
Japanese: 十分に理解する
Korean: 깨닫다
Norwegian: innse
Polish: zrozumieć
European Portuguese: perceber
Romanian: a-și da seama
Russian: осознавать
Latin American Spanish: percatarse
Swedish: inse
Thai: ตระหนัก
Turkish: farkına varmak
Ukrainian: усвідомлювати
Vietnamese: nhận ra
Chinese translation of 'realize'
realize
(ˈrɪəlaɪz)
vt
(= understand) 意识(識)到 (yìshídào)
(= fulfil)
[dream, ambition, fears]实(實)现(現) (shíxiàn)
[design, idea]体(體)现(現) (tǐxiàn)
(Econ)[amount, profit]变(變)卖(賣) (biànmài)
to realize that ... 意识(識)到 ... (yìshídào ... )
1 (verb)
Definition
to be aware of or grasp the significance of
As soon as we realized what was going on, we moved the children away.
Synonyms
become aware of
understand
I think you understand my meaning.
recognize
I recognize my own shortcomings.
appreciate
She never really appreciated the depth of the conflict.
take in
grasp
The Government has not yet grasped the seriousness of the crisis.
conceive
We now cannot conceive of a world without electricity.
catch on (informal)
He tried to explain it to me, but it took me a while to catch on.
comprehend
I just cannot comprehend your attitude.
twig (British, informal)
By the time she'd twigged what it was all about, it was too late.
get the message
I think they got the message that this attitude is wrong.
apprehend
Only now can I begin to apprehend the power of these forces.
become conscious of
be cognizant of
2 (verb)
Definition
to achieve (a plan or ambition)
Realize your dreams! Pursue your passions!
Synonyms
fulfil
achieve
accomplish
bring about
carry through
make real
make concrete
actualize
their expectations that their ambitions will be actualized
make happen
make a reality
3 (verb)
Definition
to produce a complete work of art from an idea or draft
The kaleidoscopic quality of the book is brilliantly realized on stage.
Synonyms
achieve
There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals.
do
I was trying to do some work.
effect
Prospects for effecting real political change have taken a step backward.
complete
He had just completed his first novel.
perform
people who have performed outstanding acts of bravery
fulfil
He decided to fulfil his dream and go to college.
accomplish
If we all work together, I think we can accomplish our goal.
bring about
consummate
No one has yet been able to consummate a deal.
incarnate
bring off
make concrete
bring to fruition
actualize
make happen
effectuate
the problems of when and how to effectuate secession
reify
carry out or through
4 (verb)
Definition
(of goods or property) to sell for (a certain sum)
A selection of correspondence from P.G. Wodehouse realized £1,232.
Synonyms
sell for
go for
bring or take in
make
How much money did we make?
get
He gets a pitifully low salary.
clear
The company cleared over £57 million profit last year.
produce
gain
The company didn't disclose how much it expects to gain from the deal.
net
The state government expects to net about 1.46 billion rupees.
earn
The dancers can earn up to £130 for each session.
obtain
Perfection has always been difficult to obtain.
acquire
She has acquired a 50% stake in the company.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accomplish
Definition
to complete
If we all work together, I think we can accomplish our goal.
Synonyms
realize,
produce,
effect,
finish,
complete,
manage,
achieve,
perform,
carry out,
conclude,
fulfil,
execute,
bring about,
attain,
consummate,
bring off (informal),
do,
effectuate,
put the tin lid on
in the sense of acquire
Definition
to get or develop (something such as an object, trait, or ability)
She has acquired a 50% stake in the company.
Synonyms
get,
win,
buy,
receive,
land (informal),
score (slang),
gain,
achieve,
earn,
pick up,
bag,
secure,
collect,
gather,
realize,
obtain,
attain,
amass,
procure,
come into possession of
in the sense of actualize
their expectations that their ambitions will be actualized
Synonyms
make real,
effect,
realize,
bring about,
bring to life,
incarnate,
put into effect,
bring into being,
make concrete,
objectify,
make happen,
effectuate,
reify,
give life or substance to
Synonyms of 'realize'
realize
Explore 'realize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appreciate
Definition
to be aware of and understand
She never really appreciated the depth of the conflict.
Synonyms
be aware of,
know,
understand,
estimate,
realize,
acknowledge,
recognize,
perceive,
comprehend,
take account of,
be sensitive to,
be conscious of,
sympathize with,
be alive to,
be cognizant of
in the sense of apprehend
Definition
to grasp (something) mentally
Only now can I begin to apprehend the power of these forces.
Synonyms
understand,
know,
think,
believe,
imagine,
realize,
recognize,
appreciate,
perceive,
grasp,
conceive,
comprehend,
get the message,
get the picture
in the sense of catch on
Definition
to understand
He tried to explain it to me, but it took me a while to catch on.
Synonyms
understand,
see,
find out,
grasp,
see through,
comprehend,
twig (British, informal),
get the picture,
see the light of day
in the sense of clear
Definition
to make or gain (money) as profit
The company cleared over £57 million profit last year.
Synonyms
gain,
make,
earn,
secure,
acquire,
reap
in the sense of complete
Definition
to finish
He had just completed his first novel.
Synonyms
finish,
conclude,
fulfil,
accomplish,
do,
end,
close,
achieve,
perform,
settle,
realize,
execute,
discharge,
wrap up (informal),
terminate,
finalize
in the sense of comprehend
Definition
to understand
I just cannot comprehend your attitude.
Synonyms
understand,
see,
take in,
perceive,
grasp,
conceive,
make out,
discern,
assimilate,
see the light,
fathom,
apprehend,
get the hang of (informal),
get the picture,
know
in the sense of conceive
Definition
to consider in a certain way
We now cannot conceive of a world without electricity.
Synonyms
imagine,
envisage,
comprehend,
visualize,
think,
believe,
suppose,
fancy,
appreciate,
grasp,
apprehend
in the sense of consummate
Definition
to complete or fulfil
No one has yet been able to consummate a deal.
Synonyms
complete,
finish,
achieve,
conclude,
perform,
perfect,
carry out,
crown,
fulfil,
end,
accomplish,
effectuate,
put the tin lid on
in the sense of do
Definition
to improve
I was trying to do some work.
Synonyms
perform,
work,
achieve,
carry out,
produce,
effect,
complete,
conclude,
undertake,
accomplish,
execute,
discharge,
pull off,
transact
in the sense of earn
Definition
to gain or be paid (money) in return for work
The dancers can earn up to £130 for each session.
Synonyms
be paid,
make,
get,
receive,
draw,
gain,
net,
collect,
bring in,
gross,
procure,
clear,
get paid,
take home
Additional synonyms
in the sense of effect
Definition
to cause (something) to take place
Prospects for effecting real political change have taken a step backward.
Synonyms
bring about,
make,
cause,
produce,
create,
complete,
achieve,
perform,
carry out,
fulfil,
accomplish,
execute,
initiate,
give rise to,
consummate,
actuate,
effectuate
in the sense of effectuate
the problems of when and how to effectuate secession
Synonyms
bring about,
do,
make,
cause,
produce,
create,
effect,
complete,
achieve,
perform,
fulfil,
accomplish,
execute,
procure,
carry out or through
in the sense of gain
The company didn't disclose how much it expects to gain from the deal.
Synonyms
profit,
make,
earn,
get,
win,
clear,
land (informal),
score (slang),
achieve,
net,
bag,
secure,
collect,
gather,
realize,
obtain,
capture,
acquire,
bring in,
harvest,
attain,
reap,
glean,
procure
in the sense of get
He gets a pitifully low salary.
Synonyms
earn,
receive,
make,
collect,
net,
realize,
bring in,
gross,
reap
in the sense of get the message
Definition
to understand
I think they got the message that this attitude is wrong.
Synonyms
understand,
see,
get it,
catch on (informal),
comprehend,
twig (British, informal),
get the point,
take the hint
in the sense of grasp
Definition
to understand
The Government has not yet grasped the seriousness of the crisis.
Synonyms
understand,
realize,
take in,
get,
see,
follow,
catch on (informal),
comprehend,
get the message about,
get the picture about,
catch or get the drift of
in the sense of make
Definition
to earn or be paid
How much money did we make?
Synonyms
earn,
get,
gain,
net,
win,
clear,
secure,
realize,
obtain,
acquire,
bring in,
take in,
fetch
in the sense of net
Definition
to yield or earn as a clear profit
The state government expects to net about 1.46 billion rupees.
Synonyms
earn,
make,
clear,
gain,
realize,
bring in,
accumulate,
reap
in the sense of obtain
Definition
to gain possession of
Perfection has always been difficult to obtain.
Synonyms
achieve,
get,
gain,
realize,
accomplish,
attain
in the sense of perform
Definition
to carry out (an action)
people who have performed outstanding acts of bravery
Synonyms
do,
achieve,
carry out,
effect,
complete,
satisfy,
observe,
fulfil,
accomplish,
execute,
bring about,
pull off,
act out,
transact
Additional synonyms
in the sense of recognize
Definition
to accept or be aware of (a fact or problem)
I recognize my own shortcomings.
Synonyms
acknowledge,
see,
allow,
understand,
accept,
admit,
grant,
realize,
concede,
perceive,
confess,
be aware of,
take on board,
avow
in the sense of twig
Definition
to realize or understand
By the time she'd twigged what it was all about, it was too late.