to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly
درك كردن، فهميدن
They didn't realize the danger they were in.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
realize
verb (realizes, realizing, realized )
to understand or know something:
When I got home, I realized that I had lost my key.
I didn't realize you were American.
>> realization noun (no plural):
the sudden realization of what he had done
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
realize
rea‧lize S1 W1 BrE AmE (also realise British English) /ˈrɪəlaɪz/ verb [transitive not usually in progressive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑realism, ↑realist, ↑reality, ↑unreality, ↑realization; adverb: ↑real, ↑really, ↑realistically ≠ ↑unrealistically; adjective: ↑real, ↑unreal, ↑realistic ≠ ↑unrealistic; verb: ↑realize]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: réaliser, from Old French real; ⇨ ↑real1]
1. UNDERSTAND to know and understand something, or suddenly begin to understand it
realize (that)
I suddenly realized that the boy was crying.
Do you realize you’re an hour late?
realize who/what/how etc
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize who you were.
It took us a while to realize the extent of the tragedy.
It was only later that I realized my mistake.
► Do not say that you ‘realize about/of something’. Say that you realize something.
2. ACHIEVE formal to achieve something that you were hoping to achieve:
She never realized her ambition of winning an Olympic gold medal.
a young singer who has not yet realized her full potential (=achieved as much as she can achieve)
3. sb’s worst fears were realized used to say that the thing that you were most afraid of has actually happened:
His worst fears were realized when he heard that Chris had been arrested.
4. MONEY
a) formal to obtain or earn an amount of money:
The campaign realized $5000.
We realized a small profit on the sale of the house.
b) realize an asset technical to change something that you own into money by selling it
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ realize to begin to understand, notice, or know something that you did not understand etc before: I hadn’t realized that Ben was his brother. | She suddenly realized who the man in the photograph was.
▪ become aware to gradually realize that something is happening or is true, over a period of time: He slowly became aware that he was not alone | People are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of cars on the environment.
▪ dawn on somebody if something dawns on you, you realize it for the first time – often used in the phrase it dawned on somebody: It dawned on me that he could be lying. | It only dawned on her that she was in danger when she saw rescue workers running away from the building. | He thought about the dream for a long time before its meaning began to dawn on him.
▪ sink in if something sinks in, you begin to realize its full meaning or importance, especially gradually: It took a few minutes for the doctor’s words to sink in. | The reality of what I had done slowly began to sink in.
▪ hit if a fact hits you, you suddenly understand it and how important it is: It hit me one day that he didn’t care. He’d talk when I phoned him, but he’d never call me.
▪ strike if an idea or thought strikes you, you suddenly think of it: It suddenly struck her what a risk she was taking. | A thought has just struck me - there must be other people with the same problem.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
realize
real·ize (BrE also -ise) [realize realizes realized realizing] [ˈriːəlaɪz] [ˈrɪəlaɪz] [ˈriːəlaɪz] verb
BE/BECOME AWARE
1. transitive, intransitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to understand or become aware of a particular fact or situation
• ~ (that)… I didn't realize (that) you were so unhappy.
• The moment I saw her, I realized something was wrong.
• ~ how, what, etc… I don't think you realize how important this is to her.
• ~ (sth) I hope you realize the seriousness of this crime.
• Only later did she realize her mistake.
• 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.
ACHIEVE STH
2. transitive ~ sth to achieve sth important that you very much want to do
• She never realized her ambition of becoming a professional singer.
• We try to help all students realize their full potential (= be as successful as they are able to be).
HAPPEN
3. transitive, usually passive ~ sth if sb'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
4. transitive ~ your assets (formal) to sell things that you own, for example property, in order to get the money that you need for sth
Syn: convert
5. transitive ~ sth (formal) (of goods, etc.) to be sold for a particular amount of money
Syn: make
• The paintings realized $2 million at auction.
MAKE STH REAL
6. transitive ~ sth (formal) to produce sth that can be seen or heard, based on written information or instructions
• The stage designs have been beautifully realized.
See also: -ise
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
early 17th cent.: from real, on the pattern of French réaliser.
Thesaurus:
realize (BrE also -ise) verb T (not used in the progressive tenses)
• I didn't realize you were so unhappy.
know • • appreciate •
realize/know/appreciate that…
realize/know/appreciate what/how/why…
begin/come to realize/know/appreciate sth
Realize or know? To realize sth means to become or be aware of it. To know sth is to be aware of it: know can mean ‘become aware’ if it happens in a single moment; however, if the process of becoming aware takes any time use realize:
• The moment I walked in the room I realized/knew something was wrong.
• I soon/quickly/gradually realized my mistake.
¤ I soon/quickly/gradually knew my mistake.
Example Bank:
• 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.
• As soon as/The moment I walked in the room I knew/realized something was wrong.
• Do you fully realize the seriousness of this crime?
• I began to realize why the people seemed wary of us.
• I didn't realize (that) you were so unhappy.
• I don't think you realize how important this is to her.
• I soon/quickly/gradually/slowly realized what he meant.
• She soon realized her mistake.
• Suddenly/All of a sudden/At once I knew/realized what he meant.
• The paintings realized $2 million at auction.
• There was a cheer when it was realized that everyone had got back safely.
• We make assumptions all the time without realizing it.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
realize ( UK usually realise ) / ˈrɪə.laɪz / / ˈriː.ə- / verb [ I or T ] (BECOME AWARE)
B1 to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly:
They didn't realize the danger they were in.
[ + (that) ] "Do you realize (that) this is the third time you've forgotten?" she said angrily.
[ + question word ] I realize how difficult it's going to be, but we must try.
As he watched the TV drama, he suddenly realized (that) he'd seen it before.
"You're standing on my foot." "Sorry, I didn't realize."
realize ( UK usually realise ) / ˈrɪə.laɪz / / ˈriː.ə- / verb (ACHIEVE)
C1 [ T ] to achieve something you were hoping for:
Lots of money, a luxury house, a fast car - Danny had realized all his ambitions by the age of 25.
sb's worst fears are realized [ T ] used for saying that something that someone was worrying about really happened:
Ten years later her worst fears were realized.
realize ( UK usually realise ) / ˈrɪə.laɪz / / ˈriː.ə- / verb (MONEY)
specialized to be sold for a particular amount of money:
The paintings are expected to realize £500,000 each.
realize assets legal to sell property in order to get some money:
He had to realize all his assets to pay off his debts.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
realize
[ri͟ːəlaɪz]
realizes, realizing, realized
(in BRIT, also use realise)
1) VERB If you realize that something is true, you become aware of that fact or understand it.
[V that] As soon as we realised something was wrong, we moved the children away...
[V wh] People don't realize how serious this recession has actually been...
[V n] Once they realised their mistake the phone was reconnected again...
`That's my brother.' - `Oh, I hadn't realized.'
Derived words:
realization [ri͟ːəlaɪze͟ɪʃ(ə)n] plural N-VAR usu N that, N of n There is now a growing realisation that things cannot go on like this for much longer... He nearly cried out at the sudden realization of how much Randall looked like him.
2) VERB: usu passive If your hopes, desires, or fears are realized, the things that you hope for, desire, or fear actually happen.
[be V-ed] Straightaway our worst fears were realised...
[be V-ed] Those are our hopes; we are starting this clinical trial to investigate whether those hopes will be realised.
Derived words:
realization N-UNCOUNT oft the N of n In Kravis's venomous tone he recognized the realization of his worst fears.
3) VERB When someone realizes a design or an idea, they make or organize something based on that design or idea. [FORMAL]
[V n] Various textile techniques will be explored to realise design possibilities...
[V n] The kaleidoscopic quality of the book is brilliantly realised on stage.
4) VERB If someone or something realizes their potential, they do everything they are capable of doing, because they have been given the opportunity to do so.
[V n] The support systems to enable women to realize their potential at work are seriously inadequate...
[V n] I think probably that the laser has not realised the potential that was expected of it in that domain.
Syn:
achieve
5) VERB If something realizes a particular amount of money when it is sold, that amount of money is paid for it. [TECHNICAL]
[V n] A selection of correspondence from P G Wodehouse realised ₤1,232.
Syn:
make, raise
Derived words:
realization N-VAR I have taken this course solely to assist the realisation of my assets for the benefit of all my creditors.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
realize
re·al·ize also Brit re·al·ise /ˈriːjəˌlaɪz/ verb -iz·es; -ized; -iz·ing [+ obj]
1 : to understand or become aware of (something)
• They did not realize the risk/danger that was involved.
• He finally realized the scope of the problem.
• I realize (that) this is an unusual situation.
• She realizes how much things have changed.
• Do you realize how difficult that stunt is?
• You just have to realize that you can't always get what you want.
• She slowly realized what he was trying to say.
2 : to cause (something) to become real - usually used as (be) realized
• Our worst fears have been realized. [=the things that we most feared have actually happened]
3 formal : to achieve (something, such as a goal, dream, etc.)
• He realized a lifelong dream/goal by winning an Olympic medal.
• He finally realized his ambition to start his own business.
• She hasn't yet realized her potential as a golfer. [=she hasn't become as good as she can be]
4 formal : to earn or get (money) by sale or effort
• We can realize a profit by selling the stock.
• The furniture of the estate realized $10,000 at the auction.