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to read

to read

1.0
To look at and understand written or printed words
  • verb
  • /rɛd/
translation icon : leer
  • After dinner, he usually takes an hour to read the news online.
  • read books
  • learn to read
  • reading comprehension

Everyone knows you should, should read more, right?

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Examples

  • When I read it, I thought, "No way."

  • So should I talk about the books I read in October?

  • This is why people should read your book and yours.

  • - I am going to read you this letter.

  • What's the last book you read from start to finish?

  • In each session, the student was asked to read the passage three different times.

    Academic text (2015)
  • How do you think students feel when they read out loud to their teachers?

    Academic text (2015)
  • Story time is a good opportunity to read a book about saving or budgeting.

    Academic text (2015)
  • However, parties responsible for censorship had not read the book, and the decision was later reversed.

    Academic text (2015)
  • She loves to read mystery novels during her free time.

Synonyms

to look through
vsto read
180 2.8

To read or check something carefully for mistakes

is the general act of understanding written words rather than quick review
to peruse
vsto read
32 7.0

To read something slowly and carefully to understand it

is the normal act of looking at and understanding written words without detail
to pore over
vsto read
28 5.5

To study things like books or papers carefully to find information

is general understanding rather than deep study for remembering details

Idioms

24 4.1

To understand what someone means without them saying it directly

to read the room
  • Informal
2 5.3

To notice how people in a group feel and act and change what you say or do

1 7.9

To scold someone strongly and warn them of punishment

1 8.7

Prepared while someone speaks the words and not checked by the writer, often containing mistakes

9.9

To act in a way that seems foolish or crazy to other people

8.1

To look at the slope and surface of a golf green to decide how to hit a putt

Phrasal Verbs

to read mind
  • Informal
69 7.7

To know what another person is thinking without them saying it

34 2.5

To say words from a written text so others can hear

to read my mind
  • Informal
23 6.0

To know what someone is thinking without them saying it

11 5.7

To understand what someone says by watching their lips

to read out
  • Specialized
1 3.4

To show measured values from a device on a screen

Play music by following the written notes on the page

To read every page of a book or magazine from start to finish

To understand what a woman says by watching her lips move

to read to filth
  • Offensive
9.9

Strongly insult someone in front of others to embarrass them

Compounds

10 3.7

A book or article that people say everyone should read

4 1.2

A short, easy book or article you can read quickly

read-out
  • Specialized
1 5.4

An electronic screen that shows numbers and text

read-only memory
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A small computer chip that holds information you can use but cannot change

A CD for computers that holds data you cannot change

A chip you clear with ultraviolet light and then write new information on it

Read method
  • Archaic
7.5

A way of natural childbirth that uses education and breathing to reduce pain and help you relax

A way of giving birth that treats labor as normal and uses teaching, breathing, and relaxation to reduce pain

read-only file
  • Specialized
3.9

A file you can open and view but cannot change or delete

read-only memory chip
  • Specialized
3.7

A small computer chip that stores data you cannot change

read-only storage
  • Specialized
4.3

A part of a computer where information can be looked at but not changed

How Thoroughly

study
353 1.1
to read
1.0
to skim
1 2.7
glance
222 1.4

Surface Forms

read infinitive
reading present participle
reads third person singular
read past
read past participle

Etymology

Read comes from an old English word rǣdan that meant 'to explain' or 'understand'. So reading written words is like 'understanding' the marks on a page and saying what they mean.