read

/ɹiːd/

Looking for the meaning of read? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.

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noun
01

A reading or an act of reading, especially an actor's part of a play.

02

(in combination) Something to be read; a written work.

His thrillers are always a gripping read.

03

A person's interpretation or impression of something.

What's your read of the current political situation?

04

An instance of reading.

verb
01

To look at and interpret letters or other information that is written.

Have you read this book?

02

To speak aloud words or other information that is written. Often construed with a to phrase or an indirect object.

All right, class, who wants to read next?

03

To read work(s) written by (a named author).

At the moment I'm reading Milton.

04

To interpret, or infer a meaning, significance, thought, intention, etc. from.

I can read his feelings in his face.

05

To consist of certain text.

On the door hung a sign that reads "No admittance".

06

Of text, etc., to be interpreted or read in a particular way.

Arabic reads right to left.

07

To substitute (a corrected piece of text in place of an erroneous one); used to introduce an emendation of a text.

08

(usually ironic) Used after a euphemism to introduce the intended, more blunt meaning of a term.

09

To be able to hear what another person is saying over a radio connection.

Do you read me?

010

To observe and comprehend (a displayed signal)

A repeater signal may be used where the track geometry makes the main signal difficult to read from a distance.

011

(except Scotland) To make a special study of, as by perusing textbooks.

I am reading theology at university.

012

To fetch data from (a storage medium, etc.).

to read a hard disk; to read a port; to read the keyboard

013

To think, believe; to consider (that).

014

To advise; to counsel. See rede.

015

To tell; to declare; to recite.

016

To recognise (someone) as being transgender.

Every time I go outside, I worry that someone will read me.

017

To call attention to the flaws of (someone) in either a playful, a taunting, or an insulting way.

SYNONYMS:clockcopyhearreceiveinterpret

Understanding "read"

The word **"read"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ɹiːd/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"read"** in our dictionary below.

The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "read" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "read" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.

For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "read" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ɹiːd/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "read" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.

When deciding how to use "read" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "read" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.

Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "read". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ɹiːd/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "read" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.

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How do I use read in a sentence?

Refer to the usage examples above to see how "read" can be used in academic and casual conversations.