uhn-REE-uh-leyezd
/əˈnɹiəˌlaɪzd/
unrealized is pronounced uhn-REE-uh-leyezd (/əˈnɹiəˌlaɪzd/). Unrealized means not yet realized or achieved; something imagined or planned that has not come to fruition. It often refers to potential, hopes, or plans that remain incomplete or dormant. In usage you might discuss unrealized goals, dreams, or investments, highlighting gap between intention and outcome.
Unrealized means not yet realized or achieved; something imagined or planned that has not come to fruition. It often refers to potential, hopes, or plans that remain incomplete or dormant. In usage you might discuss unrealized goals, dreams, or investments, highlighting gap between intention and outcome.
"Her unrealized potential became evident only after she changed her approach."
"The project faced funding cuts, leaving many unrealized milestones behind."
"He regretted the unrealized deal that could have transformed his startup."
Pronounce as /ʌnˌriːəˈlaɪzd/ (US) or /ənˌriːəˈlaɪzd/ (UK/AU). Start with a light 'uh' sound /ʌ/ or /ə/, then /n/, then the stressed /riː/ as in 'reed', followed by /ə/ (schwa), then /ˈlaɪzd/ with /laɪ/ like 'lie' and final /zd/ as in 'zed' or 'zd' in 'realized'. The main stress is on the last syllable: laɪzd. Mouth: lips neutral for /ʌ/ and /ə/, tip of tongue for /n/, high front position for /riː/, relaxed jaw for /ə/, wide smile for /laɪ/, voiced alveolar /z/ then /d/ at the end. Audio reference: you can compare with Cambridge and Forvo entries and Pronounce.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing the stress, pronouncing /ˌriːə/ mishandled so /riːˈəlaɪzd/ occurs. 2) Slurring /riː/ into /ɹiː/ without clear separation of /n/ and /riː/. 3) Final /zd/ is heard as /z/ or /d/ only. Correction: keep /ˈlaɪzd/ as a tidy /laɪz d/ with voicing on z and crisp /d/. Practice by isolating /laɪzd/ and adding a brief pause after /n/.
US tends to maintain a strong /riː/ and a clear /laɪzd/ with less vowel reduction in /ə/ before /laɪzd/. UK often preserves a slightly flatter /ɜː/ in unstressed syllables, and AU may have a more centralized /ə/ and a slightly less rhotic /r/ in non-rhotic contexts. Across all, the /ˈlaɪzd/ ending remains the most salient, but the preceding /riːə/ may shift to /riːə/ or /riːə/ depending on fluency and speed.
Key challenge is the three-syllable sequence with a diphthong cluster: /riːə/ where /riː/ is a tense vowel followed by a reduced /ə/ before /laɪzd/. Coordinating the syllable boundary and maintaining crisp /laɪzd/ requires rhythm control. Additionally, the /n/ after the initial /ʌ/ or /ə/ must stay syllabic as you transition into /riː/ without swallowing the following consonants. Practice with deliberate tempo to separate the segments.
A unique aspect is the internal vowel sequence /riːə/ that some speakers streamline to /riə/ or /riə/ depending on speed; but to avoid ambiguity, retain /riːə/ in careful speech and /riə/ in rapid talk. Paying attention to the final /laɪzd/ ensures listeners hear the past participle adjective form clearly, distinguishing from similar forms like unrealize (verb) or unrealized (adjective). Additionally, ensure the /n/ is clearly articulated between /ʌ/ and /riː/.
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unrealized originates from the prefix un- meaning 'not' or 'opposite of' attached to realize. Realize comes from Old French realiser (14th century) from Late Latin realis, from res (thing, matter). The sense evolved from 'to make real' or 'to convert into a thing' to 'to become aware of' or 'to understand clearly' in English. The form unrealized emerged in the mid-19th century as a past-participle-adjective meaning 'not realized' or 'not brought to completion.' Over time, unrealized has broadened to describe potential, plans, dreams, or investments that have not yet materialized, retaining a strong sense of unrealized potential or opportunity left untapped.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "unrealized" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "unrealized" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "unrealized"
-zed sounds
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