rid

¹

[ rid ]

verb (used with object)

, rid or rid·ded, rid·ding.

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

   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 by of ):

   to rid the mind of doubt.

3. Archaic. to deliver or rescue:

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

rid

²

[ rid ]

verb

, Archaic.

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

rid

/ 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. get rid of
   get rid of to relieve or free oneself of (something or someone unpleasant or undesirable)

Derived Forms

• ˈridder, noun

Other Words From

• ridder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rid¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rid¹

C13 (meaning: to clear land): from Old Norse rythja ; related to Old High German riutan to clear land

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing rid

see get rid of .

Example Sentences

We know from history that trying to get rid of them won’t work.

From Science News For Students

Steven Bradford, a Democrat from Gardena, told the Assembly Judiciary Committee Wednesday that there are mechanisms for getting rid of bad politicians, doctors, lawyers — but not the people with legal authority to commit force and take lives.

From Voice of San Diego

As a result of that legal effort, though, Solana Beach could soon become the second city in North County to voluntarily get rid of its illegal email retention policy.

From Voice of San Diego

While it’s efficient for sales teams to sell a suite of products, decentralizing gets rid of the expertise.

From Digiday

That made Carson and his colleagues wonder if getting rid of the suppressor cells could create an environment for checkpoint blockers to work better.

From Science News

“I sense that mobile games are starting to shed their skin, getting rid of all the dead things they carry around,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, there is still a lot to do to rid the entire world of gay inequality.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile advocacy groups like GLAAD help rid our larger culture of hidden biases and bigotry.

From The Daily Beast

“He was talking about getting rid of Savannah two weeks off her maternity leave,” says the NBC News type.

From The Daily Beast

“The Americans were a tool, used by the Safis in the Pech to rid them of their competition in the timber trade,” Zalwar Khan said.

From The Daily Beast

I shall only be away for six months; you know I have made up my mind to get rid of the whole bag of tricks.

From Project Gutenberg

But I couldn't get rid of the notion that he would hand me out the same dose he had given MacRae if only he had the power.

From Project Gutenberg

To get rid of our lamentations, the captain launched out in praises of the charming little town, and had us conveyed to land.

From Project Gutenberg

The English authorities expressly allege a deliberate purpose on Bruce's part to rid himself of his rival.

From Project Gutenberg

That Gilly run'd away, to get rid on ye, an' went an' listed for a soger, an' be gone to forin parts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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