recite

[ri-sahyt]

verb (used with object)

recited, reciting 

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)

recited, reciting 

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)

Other Word Forms

• recitable adjective
• reciter noun
• prerecite verb (used with object)
• unrecited adjective
• well-recited 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

The technique helped the teenager recite the poem for his GCSEs.

From BBC

The room was full, with many left standing, as they recited the prayer.

From Los Angeles Times

On any given weekday, the refrain “Where’s Pippi?” will be recited a dozen times over by Once Upon a Time’s pint-size visitors.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s still got a massive audience and the low-work career of reciting mindless bigoted talking points for an audience whose only goal is killing off their last remaining critical faculties.

From Salon

Its music video, released May 8, shows a group of individuals dressed in animal skins reciting the song’s lyrics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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