realise
gb/ɹˈiəlˌaɪz/ us/ɹˈiəlˌaɪz/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
state
1
Become aware or understand
To understand or know something suddenly or clearly.
Usage pattern:
to realise [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'realise' with 'recognise'. 'Recognise' is about knowing something from seeing or hearing it before, while 'realise' is about understanding a fact or situation.
Synonyms
understand (Broader term for grasping meaning or facts; not always sudden.)
|
recognise (Often used when identifying something seen before; overlaps when it means 'acknowledge as true'.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately avoid noticing or acknowledging something.)
Collocations
suddenly realise
|only just realise
|realise the truth
|realise a mistake
|realise a dream
Themes
thinking
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I suddenly realised I had left my keys at home.
- She didn't realise how late it was.
- He realised that he had made a big mistake.
- We only realised the danger when it was too late.
Learner examples
- I realised I was wrong.
- She realised her phone was missing.
- They realised they were lost.
- He realised the answer was simple.
Verb
B1
action
2
Make something real or happen
To make an idea, dream, or plan happen in real life.
Usage pattern:
to realise [a goal/dream/plan]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'realise' here means 'understand', but in this sense it means 'make real'. Context is important.
Synonyms
achieve (Focuses on successfully reaching a goal; does not always imply making an abstract idea real.)
|
fulfil (Often used for satisfying requirements or ambitions; more formal than 'realise'.)
Antonyms
abandon (To give up on a plan or goal without making it real.)
Collocations
realise a dream
|realise an ambition
|realise a vision
Themes
goals
|achievement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- She finally realised her dream of becoming a doctor.
- The project was realised after years of planning.
- They worked hard to realise their vision for the company.
Learner examples
- He realised his goal to travel abroad.
- She realised her dream to be a teacher.
- They realised their plan for a new park.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
Sell assets for money
To sell something valuable to get money for it.
Usage pattern:
to realise [assets/investment/profit]
Synonyms
liquidate (More formal and business-oriented; often used in legal or financial contexts.)
Antonyms
acquire (To obtain or buy assets instead of selling them.)
Collocations
realise assets
|realise a profit
|realise capital
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- The company realised its assets to pay off debts.
- Investors hope to realise a profit from the sale.
- They realised their shares at a good price.
Learner examples
- The shop realised its stock to get money.
- He realised his car to pay bills.
- They realised the land to make cash.
Grammar
Dictionary form
realise
IPA
GB/ɹˈiəlˌaɪz/
US/ɹˈiəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
real - ise (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (real)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: realise
- Variant Spelling: realize
- 3rd Person Singular: realises
- Present Participle: realising
- Past: realised
Word family
Forms
Core family
Related words
real
adjective A2
realistically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unrealistic
adjective B1
unreal
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
unrealistically
adverb
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: realize Verb
Expressions
come to realise
1/kˈʌm tə ɹˈiəlˌaɪz/
fixed phrase
Gradually understand something is true
To slowly understand something over time.
Examples
- Over the years, he came to realise how important family is.
- She came to realise that she needed a change in her life.
realise one's potential
1/ɹˈiəlˌaɪz wˈʌnz pətˈɛnʃəl/
fixed phrase
Achieve all you are capable of
To do as well as you possibly can with your skills and abilities.
Examples
- With the right training, she could realise her full potential.
- The program helps young athletes realise their potential.