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realize

/ˈɹi(.ə)ˌlaɪz/
verb

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

NWL Collins ENABLE

Verb 4 meanings

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

  3. 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.

  4. 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”

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

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).

Similar and opposite words

Similar
implementexecuteactualizematerializeembodyaccomplishtumble
Opposite
derealizedisrealize

REALIZE at a glance

REALIZE has 7 letters and scores 16 points in Scrabble (R 1 + E 1 + A 1 + L 1 + I 1 + Z 10 + E 1) and 17 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,529 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.

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