realize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To become aware of, understand, or appreciate (a fact or situation, especially something which has been true for some time).

   He realized that he had left his umbrella on the train.

2. 2
   verb

   To sense (something) strongly or vividly as if real.

   Over the mind of the tourist, visiting the Old World for the first time,—countries where have transpired thrilling events recorded in history, what an immensity of thought and feeling sweeps! It was thus with Natalie; she could not realize that she was treading in the footsteps of royalty, who living in long past days, had held sway over this land, had looked upon this land of "merrie England" as their home.

3. 3
   verb

   To cause (something) to seem real; to make realistic; specifically, to present (something) clearly to the mind, a person, (archaic) oneself, etc., so that it seems real.

   Its true that Faith may be ſaid, as you ſpeak, to Realize ſalvation to the Soul; that is, vvhen the Soul doubteth vvhether there be indeed ſuch a Glory and Salvation to be expected and enjoyed by Believers, as Chriſt hath promiſed, here Faith apprehendeth it as Real or Certain, and ſo reſolves the doubt.

4. 4
   verb

   To convert (something imaginary or planned, as a goal or idea) into reality; to bring into real existence, to make real.

   Near-synonyms: implement, execute; actualize, materialize, embody; accomplish

5. 5
   verb

   To convert (an asset or property, especially investments such as bonds, shares, etc.) into a more easily usable form such as money, especially by selling the asset or property.

   By realizing the company’s assets, the liquidator was able to return most of the shareholders’ investments.

6. 6
   verb

   To acquire (money, a profit, etc.) by selling an asset or property, through trade, etc.; also (followed by on), to make (money or a profit) on an investment, a venture, etc.

   to realize large profits from a speculation

7. 7
   verb

   To turn (an abstract linguistic object, especially a phoneme) into a speech sound actually used in a language.

   The southern /v/ is realized as the voiced approximant [ʋ].

8. 8
   verb

   To cause to seem real; to make realistic.

   [Johann Wolfgang von] Goethe never sculptured an Apollo, nor painted a Madonna. He gives us only sinful Magdalens and rampant Fauns. He does not so much idealize as realize.

Etymology

PIE word *reh₁ís From real (adjective) + -ize (suffix denoting the making of what is indicated by the word it is attached to), possibly modelled after French réaliser, Middle French réaliser (“to make real; to convert (something) into assets or cash”), from real (“actual, real”) + -iser (suffix denoting the making of what is indicated by the word it is attached to). Real is derived from Old French reel, from Latin reālis (“actual, real”), from rēs (“deed; event; matter; thing”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *reh₁ís (“goods; wealth”)) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship).