realize

[ ree-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, re·al·ized, re·al·iz·ing.

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.”

verb (used without object)

, re·al·ized, re·al·iz·ing.

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

realize

/ 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 of a musicologist or performer
   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

Derived Forms

• ˈrealˌizer, noun
• ˌrealiˈzation, noun
• ˈrealˌizable, adjective
• ˈrealˌizably, adverb

Other Words From

• re·al·iz·a·ble adjective
• re·al·iz·a·bil·i·ty [ree-, uh, -lahyz-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], re·al·iz·a·ble·ness noun
• re·al·iz·a·bly adverb
• re·al·iz·er noun
• hy·per·re·al·ize verb (used with object) hyperrealized hyperrealizing
• non·re·al·iz·a·ble adjective
• non·re·al·iz·ing adjective
• pre·re·al·ize verb (used with object) prerealized prerealizing
• un·der·re·al·ize verb (used with object) underrealized underrealizing
• un·re·al·ize verb (used with object) unrealized unrealizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of realize¹

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

Synonym Study

See imagine.

Related Words

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