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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

  1. [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
  2. achieve something

  3. [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
  4. happen

  5. [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.
  6. sell

  7. [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
  8. [transitive] realize something (formal) (of goods, etc.) to be sold for a particular amount of money synonym make
    • The paintings realized $2 million at auction.
  9. make something real

  10. [transitive] realize something (formal) to produce something that can be seen or heard, based on written information or instructions
    • The stage designs have been beautifully realized.
  11. Word Originearly 17th cent.: from real, on the pattern of French réaliser.
See realize in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee realize in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
convey
verb
 
 
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