View synonyms for receive

receive

[ ri-seev ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

to take into one's possession (something offered or delivered):
to receive many gifts.
Antonyms: give
to have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc.:
to receive an honorary degree.
to have delivered or brought to one:
to receive a letter.
to get or be informed of:
to receive instructions;
to receive news.
to be burdened with; sustain:
to receive a heavy load.
to hold, bear, or contain:
The nut receives a bolt and a washer.
The plaster receives the impression of the mold.
to take into the mind; apprehend mentally:
to receive an idea.
to accept from another by hearing or listening:
A priest received his confession.
to meet with; experience:
to receive attention.
to suffer the injury of:
He received a terrific blow on the forehead.
to be at home to (visitors):
They received their neighbors on Sunday.
Synonyms: welcome, entertain, admit
to greet or welcome (guests, visitors, etc.) upon arriving:
They received us at the front door.
to admit (a person) to a place:
The butler received him and asked him to wait in the drawing room.
to admit into an organization, membership, etc.:
to receive someone into the group.
to accept as authoritative, valid, true, or approved:
a principle universally received.
to react to in the manner specified:
to receive a proposal with contempt;
She received the job offer with joy.

verb (used without object)

, re·ceived, re·ceiv·ing.

to receive something.
to receive visitors or guests.
Radio. to convert incoming electromagnetic waves into the original signal.
to receive the Eucharist:
He receives every Sunday.

receive

/ rɪˈsiːv /

verb

to take (something offered) into one's hand or possession
to have (an honour, blessing, etc) bestowed
to accept delivery or transmission of (a letter, telephone call, etc)
to be informed of (news or information)
to hear and consent to or acknowledge (an oath, confession, etc)
(of a vessel or container) to take or hold (a substance, commodity, or certain amount)
to support or sustain (the weight of something); bear
to apprehend or perceive (ideas, etc)
to experience, undergo, or meet with
to receive a crack on the skull
also intr to be at home to (visitors)
to greet or welcome (visitors or guests), esp in formal style
to admit (a person) to a place, society, condition, etc
he was received into the priesthood
to accept or acknowledge (a precept or principle) as true or valid
to convert (incoming radio signals) into sounds, pictures, etc, by means of a receiver
also intr tennis to play at the other end from the server; be required to return (service)
also intr to partake of (the Christian Eucharist)
intr to buy and sell stolen goods

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Other Words From

inter·re·ceive verb (used with object) interreceived interreceiving
nonre·ceiving adjective
prere·ceive verb (used with object) prereceived prereceiving
unre·ceiving adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of receive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English receven, from Old North French receivre, from Latin recipere, equivalent to re- re- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of receive¹

C13: from Old French receivre , from Latin recipere to take back, from re- + capere to take

Related Words

receivable received

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