Definition of realize verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

realize

verb

/ˈriːəlaɪz/,

/ˈrɪəlaɪz/

/ˈriːəlaɪz/

(British English also realise)

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they realize	/ˈriːəlaɪz/, /ˈrɪəlaɪz/ /ˈriːəlaɪz/
he / she / it realizes	/ˈriːəlaɪzɪz/, /ˈrɪəlaɪzɪz/ /ˈriːəlaɪzɪz/
past simple realized	/ˈriːəlaɪzd/, /ˈrɪəlaɪzd/ /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
past participle realized	/ˈriːəlaɪzd/, /ˈrɪəlaɪzd/ /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
-ing form realizing	/ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/, /ˈrɪəlaɪzɪŋ/ /ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/

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be/become aware

[transitive, intransitive] (not used in the progressive tenses) to understand or become aware of a particular fact or situation

realize (that)… I didn’t realize (that) you were so unhappy.
The moment I saw her, I realized something was wrong.
I finally came to realize that he would never change.
It is important to realize that there are still potential problems.
realize how, what, etc… I don't think you realize how important this is to her.
They hadn't realized just how much time it would take.
realize something Many families fail to realize the importance of a well-balanced diet
Only later did she realize her mistake.
I hope you realize the seriousness of this crime.
The situation was more complicated than they had at first realized.
They managed to leave without any of us realizing.
it is realized that… There was a cheer when it was realized that everyone was safely back.

Extra Examples

I never realized how much it meant to you.
I realized for the first time how difficult this would be.
She dimly realized that she was trembling.
The experience made me realize that people did care.
They are constantly learning, without even realizing it.
We are constantly using historic buildings, without even realizing it.
You don't seem to realize the seriousness of the situation.
I began to realize why the people seemed wary of us.
to soon/quickly/gradually/slowly realize
She soon realized her mistake.
Suddenly I realized what he meant.
We make assumptions all the time without realizing it.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

fully
dimly
suddenly
…

verb + realize

begin to
come to
make somebody
…

preposition

with

phrases

without realizing (something)

See full entry

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achieve something

[transitive] realize something to achieve something important that you very much want to do

to realize your dream
We try to help all students realize their full potential (= be as successful as they are able to be).
She never realized her ambition of becoming a professional singer.
He has fully realized the promise which he showed.
I've finally realized a lifelong ambition.

Topics Successb2

happen

[transitive, usually passive] realize something if somebody’s fears are realized, the things that they are afraid will happen, do happen

His worst fears were realized when he saw that the door had been forced open.

sell

[transitive] realize your assets (formal) to sell things that you own, for example property, in order to get the money that you need for something synonym convert

[transitive] realize something (formal) (of goods, etc.) to be sold for a particular amount of money synonym make