Notice vs. Realize — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
"Notice" involves becoming aware of something through sensory perception, while "realize" entails coming to an understanding or becoming aware of something through cognitive processes.
Difference Between Notice and Realize
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
When you notice something, it typically involves direct observation or immediate sensory input, highlighting external stimuli. On the other hand, to realize something often involves an internal cognitive process, where understanding or insight develops over time.
You might notice a sound or a smell as soon as it occurs, relying on your senses to inform you of your surroundings. Whereas, you might realize the importance of an event or the truth about a situation only after reflecting or receiving additional information.
In everyday usage, "notice" can be a more passive action, such as noticing someone’s new haircut when you see them. Conversely, "realize" is more active and requires integration of knowledge, like realizing why someone reacted a certain way after thinking about it.
Noticing is often instantaneous, where your attention is drawn to something noticeable without much prior thought. Realizing, on the other hand, usually comes with a moment of clarity after piecing together different pieces of information or after deliberation.
While noticing is largely observational, realizing can lead to a change in understanding or perspective, often involving an "aha" moment where previous beliefs are reconsidered or new connections are made.
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Comparison Chart
Sensory Involvement
High, based on external stimuli
Low, based more on internal cognition
Timeframe
Immediate
Can be immediate or develop over time
Type of Awareness
Observational
Cognitive, often involving insight
Active/Passive
More passive (receiving)
More active (integrating)
Outcome
Awareness of the environment
Change in understanding or perspective
Compare with Definitions
Notice
Draws attention.
Everyone noticed when the lights went out.
Realize
Gains understanding.
She finally realized the reason behind his silence.
Notice
Detects changes.
I noticed a change in his tone of voice.
Realize
Develops over time.
He didn't realize the importance of the meeting until later.
Notice
Requires senses.
She didn't notice the car approaching from behind.
Realize
Involves insight.
They realized that working together was more effective.
Notice
Is immediate.
Did you notice how quickly the weather turned?
Realize
Requires thought.
I realized I had left my keys at home after retracing my steps.
Notice
Involves observation.
He noticed a mistake in the report immediately.
Realize
Changes perspective.
After the documentary, many realized the impact of climate change.
Notice
Notice is the legal concept describing a requirement that a party be aware of legal process affecting their rights, obligations or duties. There are several types of notice: public notice (or legal notice), actual notice, constructive notice, and implied notice.
Realize
Become fully aware of (something) as a fact; understand clearly
They realized that something was wrong
He realized his mistake at once
Notice
The fact of observing or paying attention to something
It has come to our notice that you have been missing school
Their silence did not escape my notice
Realize
Cause to happen
His worst fears have been realized
Notice
Notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made
Interest rates are subject to fluctuation without notice
Realize
Give actual or physical form to
The stage designs have been beautifully realized
Notice
A displayed sheet or placard giving news or information
The jobs were advertised in a notice posted in the common room
Realize
Make (a profit) from a transaction
She realized a profit of $100,000
Notice
Become aware of
I noticed that she was looking tired
They were too drunk to notice
He noticed the youths behaving suspiciously
Realize
To comprehend completely or correctly.
Notice
The act of noting or observing; perception or attention
That detail escaped my notice.
Realize
To bring into reality; make real
He finally realized his lifelong ambition to learn how to play the violin.
Notice
Respectful attention or consideration
Grateful for the teacher's notice.
Realize
To make realistic
A film that realizes court life of the 1600s.
Notice
A written or printed announcement
A notice of sale.
Realize
To obtain or achieve, as gain or profit
She realized a substantial return on the investment.
Notice
A formal announcement, notification, or warning, especially an announcement of one's intention to withdraw from an agreement or leave a job
Gave my employer two weeks' notice.
Raised the price without notice.
Realize
To bring in (a sum) as profit by sale.
Notice
The condition of being formally warned or notified
Put us on notice for chronic lateness.
Realize
To exchange holdings or goods for money.
Notice
A printed critical review, as of a play or book.
Realize
To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into reality; to bring into real existence
The objectives of the project were never fully realized.
Notice
To take notice of; observe
Noticed a figure in the doorway. ].
Realize
(transitive) To become aware of (a fact or situation, especially of something that has been true for a long time).
He realized that he had left his umbrella on the train.
The defendant desperately yelled at her young daughter, frantic to make her realize what she had done.
Notice
The act of observing; perception.
He took no notice of the changes, and went on as though nothing had happened.
Realize
(transitive) To cause to seem real to other people.
Notice
(countable) A written or printed announcement.
Shall we post a notice about the new policy?
I always read the death notices in the paper.
Realize
(transitive) To sense vividly or strongly; to make one's own in thought or experience.
Notice
(countable) A formal notification or warning.
The sidewalk adjacent to the damaged bridge stonework shall be closed until further notice.
Realize
To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get
To realize large profits from a speculation
Notice
Advance notification of termination of employment, given by an employer to an employee or vice versa.
I gave her her mandatory two weeks' notice and sacked her.
I can't work here any longer. I'm giving notice.
Realize
To convert any kind of property into money, especially property representing investments, such as shares, bonds, etc.
Profits from the investment can be realized at any time by selling the shares.
By realizing the company's assets, the liquidator was able to return most of the shareholders’ investments.
Notice
(countable) A published critical review of a play or the like.
Realize
To convert into real property; to make real estate of.
Notice
(uncountable) Prior notification.
I don't mind if you want to change the venue; just give me some notice first, OK?
Realize
To turn an abstract linguistic object into actual language, especially said of a phoneme's conversion into speech sound.
The southern /v/ is realized as the voiced approximant [ʋ].
Notice
(dated) Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
Realize
To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into the actual; to bring into concrete existence; to effectuate; to accomplish; as, to realize a scheme or project.
We realize what Archimedes had only in hypothesis, weighing a single grain against the globe of earth.
Notice
To remark upon; to mention.
Realize
To cause to seem real; to impress upon the mind as actual; to feel vividly or strongly; to make one's own in apprehension or experience.
Many coincidences . . . soon begin to appear in them [Greek inscriptions] which realize ancient history to us.
We can not realize it in thought, that the object . . . had really no being at any past moment.
Notice
(transitive) To become aware of; to observe.
Did you notice the flowers in her yard?
Realize
To convert into real property; to make real estate of; as, to realize his fortune.
Notice
To lavish attention upon; to treat (someone) favourably.
Realize
To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get; as, to realize large profits from a speculation.
Knighthood was not beyond the reach of any man who could by diligent thrift realize a good estate.
Notice
(intransitive) To be noticeable; to show.
Realize
To convert into actual money; as, to realize assets.
Notice
The act of noting, remarking, or observing; observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance; note.
How ready is envy to mingle with the notices we take of other persons!
Realize
To convert any kind of property into money, especially property representing investments, as shares in stock companies, bonds, etc.
Wary men took the alarm, and began to realize, a word now first brought into use to express the conversion of ideal property into something real.
Notice
Intelligence, by whatever means communicated; knowledge given or received; means of knowledge; express notification; announcement; warning.
I . . . have given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here.
Realize
Be fully aware or cognizant of
Notice
An announcement, often accompanied by comments or remarks; as, book notices; theatrical notices.
Realize
Perceive (an idea or situation) mentally;
Now I see!
I just can't see your point
Does she realize how important this decision is?
I don't understand the idea
Notice
A writing communicating information or warning.
Realize
Make real or concrete; give reality or substance to;
Our ideas must be substantiated into actions
Notice
Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
Realize
Earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;
How much do you make a month in your new job?
She earns a lot in her new job
This merger brought in lots of money
He clears $5,000 each month
Notice
To observe; to see; to mark; to take note of; to heed; to pay attention to.
Realize
Convert into cash; of goods and property
Notice
To show that one has observed; to take public note of; remark upon; to make comments on; to refer to; as, to notice a book.
This plant deserves to be noticed in this place.
Another circumstance was noticed in connection with the suggestion last discussed.
Realize
Expand or complete (a thorough-based part in a piece of baroque music) by supplying the harmonies indicated in the figured bass
Notice
To treat with attention and civility; as, to notice strangers.
Notice
An announcement containing information about a future event;
You didn't give me enough notice
Notice
The act of noticing or paying attention;
He escaped the notice of the police
Notice
A request for payment;
The notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting
Notice
Advance notification (usually written) of the intention to withdraw from an arrangement or contract;
We received a notice to vacate the premises
He gave notice two months before he moved
Notice
A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement;
A poster advertised the coming attractions
Notice
Polite or favorable attention;
His hard work soon attracted the teacher's notice
Notice
A short critical review;
The play received good notices
Notice
Discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of;
She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water
We found traces of lead in the paint
Notice
Notice or perceive;
She noted that someone was following her
Mark my words
Notice
Make or write a comment on;
He commented the paper of his colleague
Notice
Express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with;
He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway
She acknowledged his complement with a smile
It is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing
Common Curiosities
What is required to realize something?
Realizing something typically requires thinking, reflecting, or connecting pieces of information.
How does realizing differ from noticing?
Realizing involves coming to an understanding or insight, not just sensory awareness.
Can you realize something without noticing it first?
Yes, you can realize something through reflection or additional information without first noticing it.
Is noticing always immediate?
Noticing is generally immediate as it involves direct sensory perception.
What does it mean to notice something?
Noticing something means becoming aware of it through sensory input like sight or sound.
Can realizing lead to significant changes?
Yes, realizing can lead to changes in perspective or behavior based on new understandings.
How does realization affect decision-making?
Realization can significantly impact decisions by altering one’s understanding and priorities.
Can noticing lead to realization?
Yes, noticing something can trigger a process of reflection that leads to realization.
Do you need to actively think to notice something?
Not necessarily, noticing can be a passive action based on immediate sensory input.
What are examples of noticing in daily life?
Noticing a missed call, seeing a broken window, or hearing a distant noise are all examples.
How do I know if I’ve noticed or realized something?
If it’s a sensory detection, you’ve noticed; if it involves understanding, you’ve realized.
Why is realizing considered a cognitive process?
Because it involves mental processes to integrate knowledge and gain insights.
Is it possible to realize something and then notice?
Yes, sometimes you might realize a pattern or truth and then start to notice evidence supporting it.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
