What does “realize” mean?
- 1
verbto understand or become aware of something
I didn’t realize it was so late.
- 2
verbto make a hope or plan happen
She finally realized her dream of becoming a pilot.
Realize at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- B1 (intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈriəˌlaɪz/ · REE-uh-lyz
How to use “realize” correctly
“Realize” is about suddenly understanding, not doing: “I realized my mistake.” It is not usually used in continuous forms. British spelling: “realise”.
Common phrases with “realize”
- realize that
- suddenly realize
- realize a dream
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- understand
- notice
- achieve
“realize” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- consider verbB1to think carefully about something before deciding
- exist verbB1to be real or present in the world
- focus verbB1to give all your attention to one thing
- identify verbB1to recognize and name who or what someone or something is
- prove verbB1to show that something is true using facts or evidence
- recognize verbB1to know someone or something because you have seen or heard them before
- relate verbB1to be connected with something, or to show a connection
- tend verbB1to usually do or be something