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

Explanation

When you clear out or eliminate something you don't want, you rid yourself of it. If even one child is allergic to peanuts, a school will often rid the cafeteria of all food made with peanuts. For years, activists have worked to rid the world of nuclear weapons, while a dieter's priority might be to rid himself of ten extra pounds. Freeing someone from something unwanted is to rid them of it, whether it's ants in their kitchen or stress about their job. In the thirteenth century, rid meant "clear a space, set free, or save," from a Scandinavian root that's related to the Old Norse ryðja, "to clear land of obstructions."

Example Sentences

It will hopefully help rid you of these feelings of impatience and irritation over not having your generous gift acknowledged.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Same with Sam’s Club, which vowed to get rid of more than 40 ingredients from its private label brand, Member’s Mark.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

“Believe me, it is not easy to get rid of 5,000 books,” he recalled.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Litchfield said residents could also contribute to Guernsey's biodiversity by helping to get rid of invasive non-native species, like stinking onions and wild leek.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

I had no trouble getting rid of my messes.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

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