read Hear it!

read¹ Definition

read (rēd)

transitive verb readred, read′·ingrēd′iŋ

    1. 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
    2. proofread
  2. to utter aloud (printed or written matter)
  3. to interpret movements of (the lips of a person speaking)
  4. to know (a language) well enough to interpret its written form
    1. 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
    2. to ascribe (an underlying meaning or significance) to: with into don't read anything into his straightforward reply
    1. to interpret (signals, etc.)
    2. to interpret (dreams, omens, tea leaves, lines in the palm of a hand, etc.)
  7. to foretell (the future)
  8. to interpret or understand (a printed passage) as having a particular meaning
  9. 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. Brit. 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. Comput. to access (data or a file) from (a disk, tape, etc.)

Etymology: 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 > art, arm, L reri, to think, ratio, a reckoning

intransitive verb

  1. to read something written, printed, etc., as words, music, books, etc.
  2. to utter or repeat aloud the words of written or printed matter
  3. to learn by reading: with about or of
  4. to study
  5. to have or give a particular meaning when read a poem that reads several ways
  6. to contain, or be drawn up in, certain words the sentence reads as follows
  7. to admit of being read as specified a story that reads well

noun

  1. an act of reading a quick read of the headlines
  2. something for reading a novel that's a good read
  3. Chiefly Brit. a period of time spent reading

read¹ Idioms

read out

to display or record with a readout device

read out of

to expel from (a political party, society, etc.) by public reading of dismissal

read someone a lecture

or read someone a lesson

to scold or reprimand someone

read up (on)

to become well informed (about) by reading

read² Definition

read (red)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

read

adjective

having knowledge gotten from reading she is widely read in American history

Read Definition

Read (rēd)

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

read Synonyms

read

modif.

examined, gone over, checked over, scanned; see investigated, understood 1.

read Synonyms

read

v.

  1. To understand by reading

    comprehend, go through, peruse, study, pore over, scan, skim, browse, glance over, go over, examine, gather, see, know, perceive, apprehend, grasp, learn, flip through the pages, thumb through, wade through, dip into, scratch the surface, run the eye over, bury oneself in, have one's nose in a book*, crack a book*; see also understand 1.

  2. To interpret

    view, render, translate, decipher, decode, make out, unravel, express, explain, expound, construe, perceive, paraphrase, restate, put; see also interpret 1.

  3. To contain when read

    state, hold, indicate, register, record, show, express, assert, affirm.

  4. To utter printed matter aloud

    present, deliver, recite, sound out; see address 2, recite 1.

read Usage Examples

Object

  • article: Read an article about how we opened up the archive.
  • book: Read books about prayer or a book of prayers, being prepared to stop reading in order to pray.
  • story: Read a lovely story about the meaning behind the symbols of Christmas Did you know?
  • review: Compare prices, check availability and read honest hotel reviews.
  • text: About Part 1 Open Cloze You will read an authentic text which has 15 gaps.
  • newspaper: He could as easily have stayed in London and read the Nigerian newspapers and British official reports.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

manual: It beats me how you can even read a service manual.

Adjective modifier

  • enjoyable: But the very fact I read it so fast shows that it is an enjoyable read.
  • entertaining: This book looks at mistakes from a corporate perspective - an intelligent and entertaining read.
  • interesting: Joking aside I found it an interesting read, especially in how he manages his tasks and overcomes issues like staying focused.

Adjective complement

  • more: I can't wait to read more of your work!
  • ..: And that's about the length and breadth of them. read more...
  • on-line: An assessment of the case for a national consumer advice helpline is available to read on-line.
  • online: Can be read online in PDF format via the Archeology Data Service.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • on: The discussion is written to interest the hypothetical layman, so read on!
  • through: Ideally you will have someone else read through and comment on your file(s ) before you consider a document finished.

Used with why or when

  • what: Your stories about using care: read what people who use care have told us about their experiences.
  • who: In this statement there is condensed a wealth of Hermetic knowledge let him read who can.

Preposition: in

  • conjunction: The description was intended to be read in conjunction with the survey.
  • newspaper: I read in the newspapers that women have ' got it all ' .