read
/riːd/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To look at and understand written or printed words. It also means to study something carefully, like a book or sign.
- I read the notice on the wall.
- She reads every night before bed.
- Please read the instructions first.
- 2.
To discover or understand information by looking at words, signs, or symbols. It can also mean to notice a person's feelings or meaning.
- The report reads like good news.
- I could read the mood in the room.
- He can read music very well.
Adinary Nuance
Read is the basic, everyday word for understanding written text. It is broader than study, which means to learn with more effort, and more direct than scan, which means to look through quickly. In formal writing, read is still the normal choice for books, reports, signs, and messages.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đọc
- Spanish
- leer
- Chinese
- 读
- Japanese
- 読む
- Korean
- 읽다
Etymology
Old English rǣdan meant 'advise, interpret, or understand'. The modern spelling read kept the same form, but the pronunciation changed over time.
Common phrases
read a bookread the signsread between the linesread aloud
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is read a formal word?
- No, it is a very common everyday word. It also works well in formal writing.
- What is the difference between read and study?
- Read means to look at and understand words. Study means to learn carefully and with effort.
- Can read mean understand a situation?
- Yes. We often say you can read a mood, face, or situation.
- How do I use read in a sentence?
- Use it with an object: read a book, read a message, or read the news.