recite

[ ri-sahyt ]

verb (used with object)

, re·cit·ed, re·cit·ing.

1. to repeat the words of, as from memory, especially in a formal manner:

   to recite a lesson.

2. to repeat (a piece of poetry or prose) before an audience, as for entertainment.
3. to give an account of:

   to recite one's adventures.

   Synonyms: describe, narrate

4. to enumerate.

   Synonyms: detail, number, count

verb (used without object)

, re·cit·ed, re·cit·ing.

1. to recite a lesson or part of a lesson for a teacher.
2. to recite or repeat something from memory.

recite

/ rɪˈsaɪt /

verb

1. to repeat (a poem, passage, etc) aloud from memory before an audience, teacher, etc
2. tr to give a detailed account of
3. tr to enumerate (examples, etc)

Derived Forms

• reˈciter, noun
• reˈcitable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·cita·ble adjective
• re·citer noun
• prere·cite verb (used with object) prerecited prereciting
• unre·cited adjective
• well-re·cited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recite¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English reciten, from Latin recitāre “to read aloud,” equivalent to re- + citāre “to summon”; re-, cite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of recite¹

C15: from Latin recitāre to cite again, from re- + citāre to summon; see cite

Synonym Study

See relate.

Example Sentences

He even recited a line from Mescal's breakout role in the cult-favorite television series "Normal People."

From Salon

The music of jazz trumpeter Enrico Rava washes over the dining room as solicitous waiters recite the evening’s specials, their delivery unaffected by the thud of bombs falling on a neighborhood nearby.

From Los Angeles Times

Luckily, he didn't recite his own lyrics when he popped into CBeebies earlier this month.

From BBC

She then placed his head in her lap and recited religious chants while slowly burning to death, they added.

From BBC

The boy told him that he had heard his parents nearby, reciting the Shehada, the Muslim prayer of faith.

From BBC

Related Words

• chant
• communicate
• declaim
• deliver
• enumerate
• explain
• interpret
• mention
• perform
• recount
• reel off
• rehearse
• repeat
• reply
• speak
• utter