realize

Universal Words (BrE also realise) verb be / become aware 1 (not used in the progressive tenses) to understand or become aware of a particular fact or situation: [V(that)] I didn't realize (that) you were so unhappy. * The moment I saw her, I realized something was wrong. * [Vwh-] I don't think you realize how important this is to her. * [V] The situation was more complicated than they had at first realized. * They managed to leave without any of us realizing. * [VN] I hope you realize the seriousness of this crime. * Only later did she realize her mistake. * [VNthat] There was a cheer when it was realized that everyone was safely back. achieve sth 2 [VN] 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 [VN] [usuallypassive] 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 [VN] ~ your assets (formal) to sell things that you own, for example property, in order to get the money that you need for sth 5 [VN] (formal) (of goods, etc.) to be sold for a particular amount of money: The paintings realized $2 million at auction. make sth real 6 [VN] (formal) to produce sth that can be seen or heard, based on written information or instructions: The stage designs have been beautifully realized.