Word
realization
Phoneticsre·al·iza·tion, stress on the first syllable
/ˈɹiɫəˈzeɪʃən/
UK spelling · realisation
Definitions
01sudden understanding
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the moment you suddenly understand or become aware of something.
n. the cognitive act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact.
“The realization that she had left her keys at work made her stop walking.”
“The sudden realization of the project's true cost forced the board to reconsider their entire expansion strategy for the upcoming fiscal year.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02making something real
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of making a plan, hope, or dream happen in real life.
n. the achievement or practical manifestation of something planned or desired.
“Winning the award was the realization of his lifelong dream to be a writer.”
“The successful launch of the satellite represented the final realization of years of collaborative research between the two universities.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03converting to cash
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. selling something you own to get the money from it.
n. the process of converting assets, such as property or stocks, into cash.
“The realization of the company's assets took several months after it closed.”
“The court-ordered realization of the defendant's offshore holdings was necessary to compensate the victims of the fraud.”
Usage
Often used in legal or financial contexts regarding the sale of a bankrupt person's property.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “realization” in context.
Verb
01. bring the project to realization
“The architect worked tirelessly for three years to bring the ambitious project to realization.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
02. come to the realization
“After months of struggle, she finally came to the realization that she needed professional help.”
verb + prep + noun
03. dawned on the realization
“It slowly dawned on the realization that they had been heading in the wrong direction for hours.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. belated realization
“The company's belated realization of the market shift came too late to save them from bankruptcy.”
adj + noun
05. painful realization
“It was a painful realization for the athlete that his injury would end his professional career.”
adj + noun
06. sudden realization
“A sudden realization hit him that he had left his passport on the kitchen counter.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. realization of a dream
“Winning the Olympic gold medal was the ultimate realization of a lifelong dream.”
noun + of + noun
08. realization that the plan failed
“The realization that the plan failed forced the team to reconsider their entire strategy.”
noun + that-clause
Real-World Examples
“And yet, the realization of this goal often comes with unanticipated psychological costs.” “When Middleton speaks to groups of ranchers who are set on repelling wolves, he says one of the most powerful realizations is that the animals are not going away.” Etymology
From French réalisation, from Middle French; equivalent to realize + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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