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

Californians of a certain age can recite it by heart: A 1994 ballot initiative sought to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants, with proponents claiming that unchecked migration was destroying the Golden State by burdening social services and changing the demographics of cities.

From Los Angeles Times

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

He can recite by heart the different prices per kilowatt hour that his residents pay for power on different sides of his district, and he leans heavily on his background working the family business, a nursery that grows almonds, grapes, pistachios and walnuts.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

More people can recite the plot of “Romeo and Juliet” than they can, let's say, “The Merchant of Venice.”

From Salon

Related Words

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