received
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of received
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; receive + -ed 2
Explanation
Received is an adjective that refers to something that is largely accepted as true or good. It’s also the past participle of the verb receive. If you rely on received wisdom, you might not ever come up with an original idea. Received, meaning “generally accepted as true or worthy,” was first recorded in the fifteenth century as the past participle adjective of receive, a verb meaning “accept.” So, that which has been accepted, has been received, or noted as correct or good. More specifically, received can be used to refer to established truths, like that failing to drink enough water can lead to dehydration. It's one of those words that actually follows the rule "i before e except after c."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After receiving Zanvastro for a little more than a year, treated patients demonstrated significantly better walking speeds than patients who had not received the drug.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a call shortly after 5 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
"Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition."
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
The head of Scotland's prosecution service, the-then Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, told the Scottish Parliament she had received confirmation that Al-Marimi was transferred to US custody "on a lawful basis".
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
Our Tribal Youth Council adviser had pointed out that the real tribe named in the story hadn’t received any compensation.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
