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

• discover
• see
• learn
• hear
• find

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

The main characters, who wake up chained to pipes, quickly realize amputating their own foot is the only means of escape. —The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025

However, in 1948 scientists realized that a small population of the creatures still survived, leading to a conservation effort that's ongoing decades later. —Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

When a documentary team arrives to film Nim's (Sawanee Utoomma) day in the life as a medium possessed by enlightenment — also preparing to document Nim's sister (Sirani Yankittikan), who's next in line for succession — everyone soon realizes the family is damned by a far more sinister spirit. —Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025

The next couple months were spent sorting through Steve’s items and realizing, my god, this is enormous. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 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