realize

verb

re·​al·​ize ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz 

realized; realizing

transitive verb

1

a

: to bring into concrete existence : accomplish

finally realized her goal

b

: to cause to seem real : make appear real

a book in which the characters are carefully realized

2

a

: to convert into actual money

realized assets

b

: to bring or get by sale, investment, or effort : gain

realized a large profit

3

: to conceive vividly as real : be fully aware of

did not realize the risk she was taking

realizable

ˌrē-ə-ˈlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

realizer noun

Synonyms

• ascertain
• catch on (to)
• discover
• find out
• get on (to)
• hear
• learn
• see
• wise (up)

Choose the Right Synonym for realize

think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of.

think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation

envisioned a cure for the disease

Examples of realize in a Sentence

They did not realize the risk that was involved.

He finally realized the scope of the problem.

She realizes how much things have changed.

Do you realize how difficult that stunt is?

You just have to realize that you can't always get what you want.

She slowly realized what he was trying to say.

He realized a lifelong dream by winning an Olympic medal.

He finally realized his ambition to start his own business.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here is what most people do not realize: utilities must ensure these lines maintain safe clearances from the ground, trees, and buildings even during these maximum sag conditions. —Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Inside, the floor and ceiling are realized in matching high-gloss black lacquer wood texture, while custom wood tables in the same material rise from the floor. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025

But not long into their stay, Barry saw photos of the pair in a news report and realized who Cummins was. —Alex Gurley, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025

At the end of the show, everyone in the audience realized we are all related, an exponentially large multi generation family. —Charlie Fink, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French réaliser, from Middle French realiser, from real real

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing realize

• reach/realize one's full potential

Rhymes for realize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

realize

verb

re·​al·​ize ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz 

ˈri-ə-

realized; realizing

1

: to bring into being : accomplish

realize a lifelong ambition

2

: to get by sale or effort : gain

realize a profit

3

: to be aware of

realized their danger

realizable

-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

realization

ˌrē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən

ˌri-ə-

noun

Legal Definition

realize

transitive verb

re·​al·​ize ˈrē-ə-ˌlīz 

realized; realizing

1

: to convert into money

2

: to obtain or incur (as a gain or loss) especially as the result of a sale, exchange, or other disposition of an asset

realized a loss when the house was sold

compare recognize

realization

ˌrē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun