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read

¹

[ reed ]

/ rid /

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verb (used with object), read

[red], /rɛd/, read·ing

[ree-ding]. /ˈri dɪŋ/.

to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book;to read music.

to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.): He spent the evening reading a story to his children.The actor read his lines in a booming voice.

to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it: to be able to read French.

to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers: to read Braille.

to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like): to read a semaphore;to read sign language.

to make out the character or significance of by scrutiny or observation: I read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm.A fisherman should be skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.

to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation: At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.

to foresee, foretell, or predict: to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.

to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.

to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.): How do you read this clause in the contract?

to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or observed: He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.

to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage: For “one thousand” another version reads “ten thousand.”

to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error: Read “cavalry” for “calvary.”

to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.

to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.

Computers. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.

British. to study (a subject), as at a university: to read law.

to read the work of (an author): She is reading Kafka.

to learn by or as if by reading: to read a person's thoughts.

to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive: I read you loud and clear.

to bring, put, etc., by reading: to read oneself to sleep.

to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.

to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).

Slang.

to perceive (someone) as a particular gender, as cisgender, or as transgender: People keep reading me as a woman when I wear lipstick and as a man when I don't.Since I had top surgery, strangers usually read me as cis.
to perceive (someone) as transgender or as the gender they were assigned at birth, especially when they do not wish to be so percieved: I was really happy with how I looked last night but getting read really upset me.

verb (used without object), read

[red], /rɛd/, read·ing

[ree-ding]. /ˈri dɪŋ/.

to read or peruse written or printed matter.

to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing: to read to a person.

to give a public reading or recital.

to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.

to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.

to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.

to admit of being read, especially properly or well.

to have a certain wording.

to admit of being interpreted: a rule that reads in two different ways.

to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something: Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.

to have an effect or make an impression; show forth: Those battle photographs read with great impact.

Computers. to read data, programs, or control information.

noun

an act or instance of reading: Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.

something that is read: Her new novel is a wonderful read.

Verb Phrases

read in, Computers. to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.

read out,

to read aloud, as for someone's attention.
Computers. to retrieve (information) from a computer.

read out of, to oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal: He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.

read up on, to learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading: You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.

OTHER WORDS FOR read

1 peruse, scan, study.

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QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

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Idioms about read

read between the lines. line¹ (def. 82).

read for, (of an actor) to audition for (a role, a play, etc.).

read lips, to study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered.

read the green, Golf. green (def. 35).

read the riot act. Riot Act (def. 2).

Origin of read

¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English reden, read(en), reid(e), Old English rǣdan “to counsel, read”; cognate with Dutch raden, German raten, Old Norse rātha; akin to Sanskrit rādhnoti “(he) achieves”; see also rede, riddle¹

Words nearby read

reactive schizophrenia, reactive thrust, reactivity, reactor, reactor vessel, read, readability, readable, read-across, read a lecture, read between the lines

Other definitions for read (2 of 3)

read²

[ red ]

/ rɛd /

adjective

having knowledge gained by reading (usually used in combination): a well-read person.

Origin of read

²

First recorded in 1570–80; past participle of read¹

Other definitions for read (3 of 3)

Read

[ reed ]

/ rid /

noun

George, 1733–98, American political leader: served in the Continental Congress 1774–77.

Sir Herbert, 1893–1968, English critic and poet.

a male given name: from an Old English word meaning “red.”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use read in a sentence

Frank, if you’re reading this, rethink your starting five for Game 1 tomorrow.
Bam Adebayo Is Making Plays, Denver Is Making Us Look Bad, And The Lakers May Need To Make Some Adjustments|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
If you’re reading this, chances are you care a lot about fighting climate change, and that’s great.
Want to fight climate change effectively? Here’s where to donate your money.|Sigal Samuel|September 17, 2020|Vox
The more I read about it, the more I realized I did not understand what the National Guard does.
Mobilizing the National Guard Doesn’t Mean Your State Is Under Martial Law. Usually.|by Logan Jaffe|September 17, 2020|ProPublica
He’ll read and edit them and then write his pages in the morning.
‘Antebellum’ explores truths of our ugly past|Brian T. Carney|September 16, 2020|Washington Blade

It’s great to read an article in Chrome on one screen and take notes in OneNote on the other screen.
Review of the Microsoft Surface Duo folding phone: Very pretty but just how useful is it?|Aaron Pressman|September 10, 2020|Fortune
There was nobody that I read who was like, “This is just… whatever.”
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If you read the reactions, she was billed as ‘Beauty and Brains.’
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Another read: “We need leaders who will stand against Common Core.”
Rand Paul’s Passive-Aggressive Trolling Campaign|Olivia Nuzzi|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Can you talk about some of the books you read that you think are particularly good on the political history of the 1960s?
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that read: “The Buck Stops Here.”
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future|Jonah Edelman|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But Mrs. Dodd, the present vicar's wife, retained the precious prerogative of choosing the book to be read at the monthly Dorcas.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Now first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
No man should regard the subject of religion as decided for him until he has read The Golden Bough.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Davy read this over two or three times, in the greatest perplexity, and then gave it up in despair.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
A true history of the Merrill Horse, and the adventures of its different members, would read like the most exciting fiction.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for read (1 of 2)

read¹

/ (riːd) /

verb reads, reading or read (rɛd)

to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters

to be occupied in such an activityhe was reading all day

(when tr , often foll by out) to look at, interpret, and speak aloud (something written or printed)he read to us from the Bible

(tr) to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognitionhe read the sky and predicted rain; to read a map

(tr) to interpret or understand the meaning of (signs, characters, etc) other than by visual meansto read Braille

(tr) to have sufficient knowledge of (a language) to understand the written or printed worddo you read German?

(tr) to discover or make out the true nature or mood ofto read someone's mind

to interpret or understand (something read) in a specified way, or (of something read) to convey a particular meaning or impressionI read this speech as satire; this book reads well

(tr) to adopt as a reading in a particular passagefor ``boon'' read ``bone''

(intr) to have or contain a certain form or wordingthe sentence reads as follows

to undertake a course of study in (a subject)to read history; read for the bar

to gain knowledge by readinghe read about the war

(tr) to register, indicate, or showthe meter reads 100

(tr) to bring or put into a specified condition by readingto read a child to sleep

(tr) to hear and understand, esp when using a two-way radiowe are reading you loud and clear

computing to obtain (data) from a storage device, such as magnetic tapeCompare write (def. 16)

(tr) to understand (written or printed music) by interpretation of the notes on the staff and to be able to reproduce the musical sounds represented by these notes

read a lesson or read a lecture informal to censure or reprimand, esp in a long-winded manner

read between the lines to perceive or deduce a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than being openly stated

you wouldn't read about it Australian informal an expression of dismay, disgust, or disbelief

noun

matter suitable for readingthis new book is a very good read

the act of reading

See also read in, read into, read out, read up

Word Origin for read

Old English rǣdan to advise, explain; related to Old Frisian rēda, Old High German rātan, Gothic garēdan

British Dictionary definitions for read (2 of 2)

read²

/ (rɛd) /

verb

the past tense and past participle of read 1

adjective

having knowledge gained from books (esp in the phrases widely read, well-read)

take something as read to take something for granted as a fact; understand or presume

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with read

read

In addition to the idioms beginning with read

read a lecture
read between the lines
read into
read like an open book
read out of
read someone's mind
read the riot act
read up

also see:

do you read me
open book, read like an

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.