rid

¹ American  

[rid] / rɪd /

verb (used with object)

rid, ridded, ridding

1. to clear, disencumber, or free of something objectionable (usually followed byof ).

   I want to rid the house of mice. In my opinion, you'd be wise to rid yourself of the smoking habit.

2. to relieve or disembarrass (usually followed byof ).

   to rid the mind of doubt.

3. Archaic. to deliver or rescue.

   to rid them out of bondage; to rid him from his enemies.

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idioms

1. be rid of, to be free of or no longer encumbered by.

   to be rid of obligations.

2. get rid of, to eliminate or discard.

   It's time we got rid of this trash.

rid ² American  

[rid] / rɪd /

verb

Archaic.

1. a simple past tense and past participle of ride.

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rid British  

/ rɪd /

verb

1. (foll by of) to relieve or deliver from something disagreeable or undesirable; make free (of)

   to rid a house of mice

2. to relieve or free oneself of (something or someone unpleasant or undesirable)

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rid More Idioms  

1. see get rid of.

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Other Word Forms

• ridder noun

Etymology

Origin of rid

1150–1200; Middle English ridden (v.), Old English ( ge ) ryddan to clear (land); cognate with Old Norse rythja to clear, empty

Example Sentences

“This proves we should get rid of the rule,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

It is also calculated to get rid of the old guard and bring in fresh faces who can take China’s military to the cutting edge.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was kicking at the hen geese with both feet and trying my best to get rid of Gandy when I heard a noise behind me.

From Literature

“How did you get rid of the pixies?”

From Literature

In addition to being cleaner for the environment, he said it could be "cheaper to get rid of that waste through an anaerobic digestion plant" than other methods.

From BBC

Related Words

• clear
• eliminate
• eradicate
• liberate
• purge
• relieve
• unload