read
verb (used with object)
to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.).
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read
1 American
[reed]
/ rid /
verb (used with object)
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reads,
present (3rd person singular)
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read,
past participle, past
-
reading
present participle
-
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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reads,
present (3rd person singular)
-
read,
past participle, past
-
reading
present participle
-
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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reads
plural
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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.
read
2
American
[red]
/ rɛd /
adjective
Read
3
American
[reed]
/ rid /
noun
-
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.”
read
1
British
/ riːd /
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
read
2
British
/ rɛd /
verb
adjective
-
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
read
More Idioms
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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readsimple
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readssimple
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have readperfect
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has readperfect
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am readingprogressive
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are readingprogressive
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is readingprogressive
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have been readingperfect progressive
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has been readingperfect progressive
Past
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readsimple
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had readperfect
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was readingprogressive
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were readingprogressive
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had been readingperfect progressive
Future
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”; see also rede ( def. ), riddle 1
Origin of read2
First recorded in 1570–80; past participle of read 1
Explanation
To read is to scan and understand letters and words, making sense of language. You can also read into something, interpreting a meaning. Usually a verb, read can also be a noun, as in “That book is a quick read.” There are several different roots credited with being the ancestor of read, each with different meanings. One meant "to counsel and advise," which might remind you of having your fortune read by a fortune teller, while another meant "gather up," which is what you do with the information a book you read contains.
Vocabulary lists containing read
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Spelling Practice 1, Unit 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
He read voraciously, always looking for patterns, connections and trading inspiration, even from nature and disparate industries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
“You read a lot about AI and there are a lot of companies that their fundamental existence is being questioned because of AI and what it can do,” Williams said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
That must include steps to end the use of any "coercive measure to divert the natural movement of the elephants", it read.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
There’s a risk they could end up being read at my graveside.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Father . . . the letter glittered in the criss-cross light as I read the rest.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Read: Is SpaceX an AI play or a space stock?
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
Read more about the salmonella outbreak and how to stay safe.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Read more about the record bladder stone and the operation to get it out.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Read on for our full reporting and more stories we’re covering today.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
She had a talk with Colonel Read about it.
From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier
“These are assets with qualities that cannot be replicated by technology,” the homepage reads.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
"The iron horse wants to run," a sign reads, alongside a phrase in English: "We want to be back on track."
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
Across the top, in chunky yellow letters, it reads “Phodega.”
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
But the list of female journalists he’s gone after in anger reads like a who’s who of the Washington press corps writ large.
From Slate ● Aug. 18, 2026
A babysitter reads books to a squirmy child.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
A reading below 50 points to a contraction, while a reading above that threshold points to an increase in activity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
"When we use the gas blower, some people get mad. They are reading a book or something."
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
I like the brunch place where a waiter knows I want blackberry jam with my Texas toast, and I know what his nieces have been reading lately.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
Banners reading "249 articles in 22 days" were brandished at a Monday vigil in central London attended by thousands of people, in which speaker after speaker attacked the media's role in the scandal.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
“To capture the whole war hero, the whole girl. Here she is at work, connecting important calls of the country. Here she is at home, reading and doing her needlework, perhaps by the fireplace.”
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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.
