Definition of 'read'

Word Frequency

read

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense reads , present participle reading pronunciation note: The form read is pronounced (riːd ) when it is the present tense, and (red ) when it is the past tense and past participle.

1. verb

When you read something such as a book or article, you look at and understand the words that are written there.

Have you read this book? [VERB noun]

I read about it in the paper. [VERB + about]

He read through the pages slowly and carefully. [VERB + through]

It is nice to read that Dylan Thomas venerated the Welsh language. [VERB that]

She spends her days reading and watching television. [VERB]

Synonyms: scan, study, look at, refer to More Synonyms of read

Read is also a noun.

I settled down to have a good read.

2. verb

When you read a piece of writing to someone, you say the words aloud.

Jay reads poetry so beautifully. [VERB noun]

I like it when she reads to us. [VERB + to]

I sing to the boys or read them a story before tucking them in. [VERB noun noun]

Synonyms: recite, deliver, utter, declaim More Synonyms of read

3. verb

People who can read have the ability to look at and understand written words.

He couldn't read or write. [VERB]

He could read words at 18 months. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: understand, interpret, comprehend, construe More Synonyms of read

4. verb

If you can read music, you have the ability to look at and understand the symbols that are used in written music to represent musical sounds.

Later on I learned how to read music. [VERB noun]

5. verb

When a computer reads a file or a document, it takes information from a disk or tape.

[computing]

An update has left the program unable to read the files. [VERB noun]

6. verb [no cont]

You can use read when saying what is written on something or in something. For example, if a notice reads ' Entrance', the word 'Entrance' is written on it.

The sign on the bus read 'Private: Not In Service'. [VERB with quote]

Synonyms: register, show, record, display More Synonyms of read

7. verb

If you refer to how a piece of writing reads, you are referring to its style.

The book reads like a ballad. [VERB preposition/adverb]

It reads very awkwardly. [VERB preposition/adverb]

8. countable noun [adjective NOUN]

If you say that a book or magazine is a good read, you mean that it is very enjoyable to read.

His latest novel is a good read.

Synonyms: perusal, look (through), study, leaf (through) More Synonyms of read

9. verb

If something is read in a particular way, it is understood or interpreted in that way.

The play is being widely read as an allegory of imperialist conquest. [be VERB-ed + as]

South Africans were praying last night that he has read the situation correctly. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]

Now how do you read his remarks on that subject? [VERB noun adverb/preposition]

Synonyms: interpret, take, understand, explain More Synonyms of read

10. verb

If you read someone's mind or thoughts, you know exactly what they are thinking without them telling you.

As if he could read her thoughts, Benny said, 'You're free to go any time you like.' [VERB noun]

11. verb

If you can read someone or you can read their gestures, you can understand what they are thinking or feeling by the way they behave or the things they say.

If you have to work in a team you must learn to read people. [VERB noun]

Under the shaded light her expression was difficult to read. [VERB noun]

12. verb

If someone who is trying to talk to you with a radio transmitter says, 'Do you read me?', they are asking you if you can hear them.

Alpha-Bravo-Zulu 643 to Saltezar, do you read me? Over. [VERB noun]

We read you loud and clear. Over. [VERB noun]

13. verb

When you read a measuring device, you look at it to see what the figure or measurement on it is.

It is essential that you are able to read a thermometer. [VERB noun]

14. verb

If a measuring device reads a particular amount, it shows that amount.

Cook for 1-1¼ hours for medium, or until the meat thermometer reads 55°C. [VERB amount]

The fuel gauge reads below zero. [VERB amount]

15. verb

If you read a subject at university, you study it.

[British, formal]

She read French and German at Cambridge University. [VERB noun]

He is now reading for a maths degree at Surrey University. [VERB + for]

regional note: in AM, use major, study

Synonyms: study, take, major in [US] More Synonyms of read

16.

See to take something as read

17. See also reading

18. to read between the lines

Phrasal verbs:

See read into

See read out

See read up on

More Synonyms of read

Video: pronunciation of
read

read in British English 1

(riːd )

verbWord forms: reads, reading or read (rɛd )

to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters

to be occupied in such an activity

he was reading all day

3. (when tr, often foll by out)

to look at, interpret, and speak aloud (something written or printed)

she read to us from the newspaper

4. (transitive)

to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognition

we read the sky and predicted rain

to read a map

5. (transitive)

to interpret or understand the meaning of (signs, characters, etc) other than by visual means

to read Braille

6. (transitive)

to have sufficient knowledge of (a language) to understand the written or printed word

do you read German?

7. (transitive)

to discover or make out the true nature or mood of

to read someone's mind

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

9. (transitive)

to adopt as a reading in a particular passage

for "boon" read "bone"

10. (intransitive)

to have or contain a certain form or wording

the sentence reads as follows

11.

to undertake a course of study in (a subject)

to read history

read for the bar

12. (intransitive)

to gain knowledge by reading

he read about the war

13. (transitive)

to register, indicate, or show

the meter reads 100

14. (transitive)

to bring or put into a specified condition by reading

to read a child to sleep

15. (transitive)

to hear and understand, esp when using a two-way radio

we are reading you loud and clear

16. computing

to obtain ( data) from a storage device, such as magnetic tape

Compare write (sense 16)

17. (transitive)

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

18. read a lesson

19. read between the lines

20. you wouldn't read about it

noun

21.

matter suitable for reading

this new book is a very good read

22.

the act of reading

Word origin

Old English rǣdan to advise, explain; related to Old Frisian rēda, Old High German rātan, Gothic garēdan

Word Frequency

read in British English 2

(rɛd )

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of read1

adjective

having knowledge gained from books (esp in the phrases widely read, well-read)

3. take something as read

Word Frequency

Read in American English

(rid )

Sir Herbert ( Edward)1893-1968; Eng. art & literary critic

Word Frequency

read in American English 1

(rid )

verb transitiveWord forms: read (rɛd ) or ˈreading (ˈridɪŋ )

to get the meaning of (something written, printed, embossed, etc.) by using the eyes, or for Braille, the finger tips, to interpret its characters or signs

proofread

to utter aloud (printed or written matter)

to interpret movements of (the lips of a person speaking)

to know (a language) well enough to interpret its written form

to understand the nature, significance, or thinking of as if by reading

to read a person's character in her face, to read someone's mind

to ascribe (an underlying meaning or significance) to

with into

don't read anything into his straightforward reply

to interpret (signals, etc.)

to interpret ( dreams, omens, tea leaves, lines in the palm of a hand, etc.)

to foretell (the future)

to interpret or understand (a printed passage) as having a particular meaning

to interpret (a musical composition) in a particular way, as in conducting

10.

to have or give as a reading in a certain passage

this edition reads “show,” not “shew”

11. British

to study, as at a university; esp., to major in

to read law

12.

to record and show; register

the thermometer reads 80°

13.

to put into a (specified) state by reading

to read a child to sleep

14. Slang

to hear and understand

I read you loud and clear

15. Computing

to access (data or a file) from (a disk, tape, etc.)

verb intransitive

16.

to read something written, printed, etc., as words, music, books, etc.

17.

to utter or repeat aloud the words of written or printed matter

18.

to learn by reading

with about or of

19.

to study

20.

to have or give a particular meaning when read

a poem that reads several ways

21.

to contain, or be drawn up in, certain words

the sentence reads as follows

22.

to admit of being read as specified

a story that reads well

noun

23.

an act of reading

a quick read of the headlines

24.

something for reading

a novel that's a good read

25. Chiefly British

a period of time spent reading

Idioms:

read out

read out of

read someone a lecture

read up (on)

Word origin

ME reden, to explain, hence to read < OE rædan, to counsel, interpret; akin to Ger raten, to counsel, advise < IE *rē-dh, *rə-dh < base *ar-, *(a)rē-, to join, fit > UNRESOLVED CROSS REF, arm1, L reri, to think, ratio, a reckoning

Word Frequency

read in American English 2

(rɛd )

verb transitive, verb intransitive

1. pt. & pp. of

adjective

having knowledge gotten from reading

she is widely read in American history

Example sentences including
read

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

It is a rattling good read with excitement and suspense sustained to the last page.Looks like he is reading the game well.He was recaptured and then taught fellow prisoners to read and write.What was the last book you read?He is a former flautist and choirboy who read music at college.The moon visits the psychic sector of your chart to help you read minds and understand why people think as they do.Most of my ideas come from reading in-flight magazines.What was hilarious in 1999 now reads like something dashed off to pay the school fees.He spoke to victims of abuse, he spoke to barristers and he read widely.One read: 'I have so much hatred towards you.