verb

realize

REER-lyz

verb

To become fully aware of a fact or situation, especially one that was true all along.

"She didn't realize how late it was until the sun came up."

"He realized halfway through the meeting that he had the wrong file."

To turn a plan, goal, or idea into actual reality.

"The company finally realized its vision of an all-electric fleet."

"She worked for years to realize her dream of opening a bakery."

To sell an asset or investment and convert it into cash, or the profit gained by doing so.

"He realized a tidy profit when he sold the shares."

"The estate was realized to pay off outstanding debts."

How to Use Realize

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo suddenly understand something, or to make something actually happen (including turning an investment into cash).

UK vs US

British English usually spells it "realise"; American English uses "realize" — both pronounced the same.

Common pairings

realize a profit realize a dream suddenly realize

Word Forms

realized past tense, realize plural, realized plural, realizes singular, realize singular, realized singular, realizest singular, realizedst singular, realizeth singular

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She didn't _____ how late it was until the sun came up.

Etymology

From real plus -ize ("to make"), echoing French réaliser; real traces back through Old French and Latin rēs, "thing."

Rhymes for realize

size maize prize Belize utilize capsize baptize idolize colonize memorize organize maximize

See all rhymes for realize →