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.
Some 25 allegations have been received by the Local Government Commissioner for Standards in Northern Ireland in recent days concerning potential breaches of the councillors' code of conduct.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
The outcome seems to have marked the first time in U.S. legal history that the same case received both clemency from the executive branch and vacatur from the Supreme Court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
In 2024, Earthmade received more than $176 million from two Malaysia-based shipment companies as part of the scheme, prosecutors said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
According to the OECD, Argentina received $3.134 billion in foreign direct investment last year, a fraction of $76.877 billion attracted by Brazil and the $40.871 billion secured by Mexico.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
Penelope’s heart swelled as if she had received a thousand birthday cards all at once.
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.
