Meaning & use
realize
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To become fully aware of a fact or situation, often suddenly or after some reflection.
Grammar: Takes a clause or noun object: I realized that I was wrong. / I realized my mistake.
Patterns
- realize that ...
- realize something
- realize how/what/why ...
I suddenly realized that I had left my keys at home.
She didn't realize how much time had passed.
He realized his mistake and apologized.
verbtransitive
To achieve or make something, such as a plan or ambition, actually happen.
Grammar: Often used with abstract nouns like dream, ambition, goal: She realized her dream of becoming a doctor.
Patterns
- realize a dream
- realize an ambition
- realize a goal
After years of hard work, he finally realized his ambition to start his own company.
The project helped her realize her full potential.
They worked together to realize their vision of a sustainable community.
Word forms
| third person singular | realizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | realized |
| past participle | realized |
| -ing form | realizing |
Common combinations
- realize that
- I realized that I had forgotten my wallet.
- realize a dream
- She realized her dream of traveling the world.
- suddenly realize
- He suddenly realized he was late for the meeting.
- realize the importance
- We must realize the importance of saving energy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- understand
- Understand is more about grasping the meaning of something, while realize emphasizes becoming aware of a fact you didn't know before.
- recognize
- Recognize means identifying something you have seen before, while realize is about coming to know a new fact.
- achieve
- Achieve is similar to realize in the sense of making something happen, but achieve focuses on reaching a goal through effort, while realize often implies making a dream or plan come true.
Opposites
Word family
- realization noun
- The act of becoming aware of something, or the achievement of a plan.
- real adjective
- Actually existing or happening, not imagined.
- reality noun
- The state of things as they actually exist.
Commonly confused: realize or realise?
realize vs realise
This is the British spelling of 'realize'. Both are correct, but use one consistently.
Practice
I didn't ___ that the store was closed until I got there.
Choose one answer.
'Realize' fits because it means becoming aware of a fact you didn't know. 'Understand' is more about comprehending something, 'recognize' means identifying something familiar, and 'achieve' means reaching a goal.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “realize”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.