read

¹

[ reed ]

verb (used with object)

, read [red], read·ing [ree, -ding].

1. to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.):

   to read a book;

   to read music.

   Synonyms: study, scan, peruse

2. to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.): The actor read his lines in a booming voice.

   He spent the evening reading a story to his children.

   The actor read his lines in a booming voice.

3. to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it:

   to be able to read French.

4. to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers:

   to read Braille.

5. to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like):

   to read a semaphore;

   to read sign language.

6. to make out the character or significance of by scrutiny or observation:

   I read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm.

   A fisherman should be skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.

7. to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation:

   At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.

8. to foresee, foretell, or predict:

   to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.

9. to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.
10. to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.):

    How do you read this clause in the contract?

11. to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or observed:

    He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.

12. to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage:

    For “one thousand” another version reads “ten thousand.”

13. to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error:

    Read “cavalry” for “calvary.”

14. to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.
15. to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.
16. Computers. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.
17. British. to study (a subject), as at a university:

    to read law.

18. to read the work of (an author):

    She is reading Kafka.

19. to learn by or as if by reading:

    to read a person's thoughts.

20. to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive:

    I read you loud and clear.

21. to bring, put, etc., by reading:

    to read oneself to sleep.

22. to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.
23. to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).
24. Slang.
    1. to perceive (someone) as a particular gender, as cisgender, or as transgender:

       People keep reading me as a woman when I wear lipstick and as a man when I don't.

       Since I had top surgery, strangers usually read me as cis.

    2. to perceive (someone) as transgender or as the gender they were assigned at birth, especially when they do not wish to be so percieved:

       I was really happy with how I looked last night but getting read really upset me.

verb (used without object)

, read [red], read·ing [ree, -ding].

1. to read or peruse written or printed matter.
2. to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing:

   to read to a person.

3. to give a public reading or recital.
4. to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.
5. to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.
6. to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.
7. to admit of being read, especially properly or well.
8. to have a certain wording.
9. to admit of being interpreted:

   a rule that reads in two different ways.

10. to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something:

    Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.

11. to have an effect or make an impression; show forth:

    Those battle photographs read with great impact.

12. Computers. to read data, programs, or control information.

noun

1. an act or instance of reading:

   Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.

2. something that is read:

   Her new novel is a wonderful read.

verb phrase

1. 1. to read aloud, as for someone's attention.
   2. Computers. to retrieve (information) from a computer.
2. to learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading:

   You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.

3. to oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal:

   He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.

4. Computers. to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.

read

²

[ red ]

adjective

1. having knowledge gained by reading (usually used in combination):

   a well-read person.

Read

³

[ reed ]

noun

1. George, 1733–98, American political leader: served in the Continental Congress 1774–77.
2. Sir Herbert, 1893–1968, English critic and poet.
3. a male given name: from an Old English word meaning “red.”

read

¹

/ rɛd /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of read 1

adjective

1. having knowledge gained from books (esp in the phrases widely read , well-read )
2. take something as read
   to take something for granted as a fact; understand or presume

read

²

/ riːd /

verb

1. to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters
2. to be occupied in such an activity

   he was reading all day

3. whentr, often foll by out to look at, interpret, and speak aloud (something written or printed)

   he read to us from the Bible

4. tr to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognition

   he read the sky and predicted rain

   to read a map

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

   to read Braille

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

   do you read German?

7. tr to discover or make out the true nature or mood of

   to read someone's mind

8. 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. tr to adopt as a reading in a particular passage

   for ``boon'' read ``bone''

10. intr to have or contain a certain form or wording

    the sentence reads as follows

11. to undertake a course of study in (a subject)

    read for the bar

    to read history

12. to gain knowledge by reading

    he read about the war

13. tr to register, indicate, or show

    the meter reads 100

14. tr to bring or put into a specified condition by reading

    to read a child to sleep

15. tr 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
17. tr 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 or read a lecture informal.
    to censure or reprimand, esp in a long-winded manner
19. read between the lines
    to perceive or deduce a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than being openly stated
20. you wouldn't read about it informal.
    an expression of dismay, disgust, or disbelief

noun

1. matter suitable for reading

   this new book is a very good read

2. the act of reading

Word History and Origins

Origin of read¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English reden, read(en), reid(e), Old English rǣdan “to counsel, read”; cognate with Dutch raden, German raten, Old Norse rātha; akin to Sanskrit rādhnoti “(he) achieves”; rede ( def ), riddle ¹

Origin of read²

First recorded in 1570–80; past participle of read ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of read¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. read for, (of an actor) to audition for (a role, a play, etc.).
2. read lips, to study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered.
3. read the green, Golf. green ( def 35 ).
4. read between the lines. line ¹( def 82 ).
5. read the riot act. Riot Act ( def 2 ).

More idioms and phrases containing read

• do you read me
• open book, read like an

Example Sentences

The caption read, "My brother from day 1. Love you @dcoulier and I’ll be by your side through it all."

From Salon

In the interview, journalist Craig Melvin asked Clinton about the #MeToo movement and then read Lewinsky's column about the impact the #MeToo movement had on her perceptions of sexual harassment.

From Salon

One could read and watch a lifetime of reporting on this subject and still not have a firm handle on its nuances, contradictions, factions, facts and figures of the fight for, and against, Irish independence and reunification — a story going back centuries.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m writing because I’m very concerned with what is going on at St. Gertrude in Bell Gardens,” the letter read.

From Los Angeles Times

She spent quality time with her grandma who lives in China, brushed up her skills on the piano and read a stack of books.

From BBC

Related Words

• gather
• interpret
• know
• learn
• refer to
• scan
• see
• study
• translate
• view