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.
Amazon received approximately $600m in refunds during the second quarter, according to finance chief Brian Olsavsky.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, though, America was beginning to change, and with that change Owens received the respect he deserved.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Jørgensen earned about $8 million at Novo in 2024, while Lilly CEO David Ricks received a compensation package of $29.2 million, regulatory filings show.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
The team next used fiber photometry to monitor orexin neuron activity in real time while the rats waited for and received food.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
The prima ballerina was the last to come out, and received twice the applause of everyone else.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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.
