read
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.).
to read a book;
to read music.
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to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.): The actor read his lines in a booming voice.
He spent the evening reading a story to his children.
The actor read his lines in a booming voice.
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to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it.
to be able to read French.
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to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers.
to read Braille.
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to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like).
to read a semaphore;
to read sign language.
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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.
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to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation.
At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.
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to foresee, foretell, or predict.
to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.
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to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.
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to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.).
How do you read this clause in the contract?
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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.
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to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage.
For “one thousand” another version reads “ten thousand.”
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to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error.
Read “cavalry” for “calvary.”
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to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.
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to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.
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Computers. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.
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British. to study (a subject), as at a university.
to read law.
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to read the work of (an author).
She is reading Kafka.
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to learn by or as if by reading.
to read a person's thoughts.
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to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive.
I read you loud and clear.
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to bring, put, etc., by reading.
to read oneself to sleep.
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to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.
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to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).
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Slang.
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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.
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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.
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verb (used without object)
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to read or peruse written or printed matter.
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to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing.
to read to a person.
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to give a public reading or recital.
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to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.
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to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.
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to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.
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to admit of being read, especially properly or well.
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to have a certain wording.
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to admit of being interpreted.
a rule that reads in two different ways.
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to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something.
Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.
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to have an effect or make an impression; show forth.
Those battle photographs read with great impact.
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Computers. to read data, programs, or control information.
noun
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an act or instance of reading.
Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.
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something that is read.
Her new novel is a wonderful read.
verb phrase
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read out
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to read aloud, as for someone's attention.
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Computers. to retrieve (information) from a computer.
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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.
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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.
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read in to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.
adjective
noun
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George, 1733–98, American political leader: served in the Continental Congress 1774–77.
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Sir Herbert, 1893–1968, English critic and poet.
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a male given name: from an Old English word meaning “red.”
verb
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to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters
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to be occupied in such an activity
he was reading all day
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to look at, interpret, and speak aloud (something written or printed)
he read to us from the Bible
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(tr) to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognition
he read the sky and predicted rain
to read a map
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(tr) to interpret or understand the meaning of (signs, characters, etc) other than by visual means
to read Braille
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(tr) to have sufficient knowledge of (a language) to understand the written or printed word
do you read German?
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(tr) to discover or make out the true nature or mood of
to read someone's mind
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to interpret or understand (something read) in a specified way, or (of something read) to convey a particular meaning or impression
I read this speech as satire
this book reads well
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(tr) to adopt as a reading in a particular passage
for ``boon'' read ``bone''
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(intr) to have or contain a certain form or wording
the sentence reads as follows
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to undertake a course of study in (a subject)
to read history
read for the bar
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to gain knowledge by reading
he read about the war
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(tr) to register, indicate, or show
the meter reads 100
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(tr) to bring or put into a specified condition by reading
to read a child to sleep
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(tr) to hear and understand, esp when using a two-way radio
we are reading you loud and clear
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computing to obtain (data) from a storage device, such as magnetic tape Compare write
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(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
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informal to censure or reprimand, esp in a long-winded manner
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to perceive or deduce a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than being openly stated
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informal an expression of dismay, disgust, or disbelief
noun
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matter suitable for reading
this new book is a very good read
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the act of reading
verb
adjective
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having knowledge gained from books (esp in the phrases widely read , well-read )
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to take something for granted as a fact; understand or presume
Etymology
Origin of read1
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”; rede ( def. ), riddle 1
Origin of read2
First recorded in 1570–80; past participle of read 1
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
