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received

received

7.2
Language or speech that educated people accept as correct
  • adjective
  • /rɪˈsiːvd/
translation icon : estándar
  • The professor emphasized that using received pronunciation is essential for clear communication in the classroom.

Examples

  • Many language courses focus on teaching students the received standards of pronunciation to ensure they sound more fluent.

  • In today's globalized world, mastery of received language can greatly enhance one's professional opportunities.

  • Since it's been hot and I have been bothered my eyes haven't been well received in this heat.

Synonyms

standard
vsreceived
675 2.7

Generally used and accepted as correct

is judged correct by educated native speakers rather than by general approval
accepted
vsreceived
1.3

Approved and considered correct by most people in a group

is judged correct by educated native speakers rather than broad public opinion
approved
vsreceived
  • Formal
1.5

Officially accepted by a person or group in charge

is judged correct by educated native speakers not by formal authorization

Antonyms

228 1.4

A thing that has errors or does not follow rules

nonstandard
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Not following the usual language rules used in formal speech or writing

Compounds

A standard British accent often used in education and broadcasting

Earth-received time
  • Specialized
9.5

The time on Earth when a signal from space arrives, usually given in UTC

How Standard

standard
675 2.7
received
7.2
colloquial
  • Informal
7 6.5
nonstandard
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Surface Forms

received positive

Morphology

received = receive (semi-transparent) = receive + ed

While the adjective is formed regularly from 'receive', its use in the fixed term 'received pronunciation' is a specialized sociolinguistic meaning that learners may not fully infer from the base verb.

Etymology

Received in phrases like 'received pronunciation' also comes from receive and originally meant 'accepted'. So received pronunciation is simply the way of speaking that has been 'accepted' as the standard by educated people.