reading
gb/ɹˈidɪŋ/ us/ɹˈidɪŋ/
A1
English
olvasás, olvasmány, olvasnivaló, értelmezés, olvasat, mérési eredmény, mért érték, mérőállás, felolvasás, felolvasóest, felolvasandó szöveg, jóslás, kártyavetés, tarot-jóslás
NOUN
A1
1
olvasás
A1
Usage pattern:
reading; reading for pleasure; do some reading; reading [books/articles]; reading aloud
Reading before bed helps me relax.
Az elalvás előtti olvasás segít ellazulnom.
The school is trying to improve children's reading skills.
Az iskola igyekszik fejleszteni a gyerekek olvasási készségét.
She spends most of her commute reading on her phone.
Learner examples
I enjoy reading books.
Szeretek könyveket olvasni.
Reading is important at school.
Az olvasás fontos az iskolában.
Common mistake:
For the hobby or activity, say "I like reading," not "I like a reading."
Meaning
Understanding written words
Collocations
reading skills
|reading comprehension
|reading practice
|reading ability
|reading habits
|reading speed
|pleasure reading
|silent reading
|reading aloud
|do some reading
Synonyms
perusal (More formal; emphasizes looking through or reading something carefully.)
|
literacy (Refers to the ability to read and write, not the activity itself.)
Antonyms
illiteracy (The inability to read and write.)
Themes
education
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
The activity of understanding words in books, articles, messages, and other texts.
The activity or skill of looking at written or printed words and understanding their meaning.
NOUN
B1
2
olvasmány
B1
olvasnivaló
B1
Usage pattern:
[assigned/recommended/further] reading; readings for [course/class]; [something] makes [interesting/heavy] reading
The professor posted this week's readings online.
A professzor online közzétette az e heti olvasmányokat.
The article is useful background reading for the meeting.
A cikk hasznos háttéranyag az értekezlethez.
The report makes uncomfortable reading for the company.
Learner examples
We have three readings for Monday.
Hétfőre három olvasmányunk van.
This book is easy reading.
Ez a könyv könnyű olvasmány.
Common mistake:
In education, plural "readings" often means separate assigned texts.
Meaning
Texts to be read
Collocations
assigned reading
|required reading
|recommended reading
|further reading
|background reading
|course readings
|weekly readings
|reading material
|light reading
|heavy reading
Synonyms
reading material (A clear, general term for texts to be read.)
|
texts (Common in education; usually refers to specific written works.)
|
literature (Can mean written material on a subject or creative writing.)
Themes
education
|books
|work
Definition
Books, articles, or other texts that you read, especially for a class or subject.
Written material, such as books, articles, or passages, that someone reads or is expected to read.
NOUN
B2
3
értelmezés
B2
olvasat
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s reading of [something]; a [literal/alternative/close] reading of [text/situation/evidence]
My reading of the data is that customers are spending less.
Az adatok értelmezésem szerint azt mutatják, hogy a vásárlók kevesebbet költenek.
That's a very narrow reading of the rule.
Ez a szabály nagyon szűk értelmezése.
Her reading of the poem focuses on grief and memory.
Learner examples
What is your reading of the problem?
Mi a te értelmezésed a problémáról?
His reading of the story was different from mine.
Az ő értelmezése a történetről eltért az enyémtől.
Common mistake:
Use "a reading of something" for an interpretation, not usually "a reading about something."
Meaning
Interpretation of something
Collocations
my reading of the situation
|a close reading
|a literal reading
|an alternative reading
|a careful reading
|a narrow reading
|a plausible reading
|a reading of the evidence
|a reading of the text
|a political reading
Synonyms
interpretation (The most direct synonym; can apply to texts, facts, and events.)
|
understanding (More general and less analytical.)
|
analysis (Emphasizes careful examination and explanation.)
Antonyms
misreading (An incorrect interpretation or misunderstanding.)
Themes
communication
|analysis
|opinions
Definition
Someone's opinion about what something means.
A particular way of understanding or interpreting a text, situation, evidence, or set of facts.
NOUN
B1
4
Usage pattern:
[meter/temperature/blood pressure] reading; take a reading; a reading of [number]
The nurse took a blood pressure reading.
A nővér vérnyomást mért.
The meter reading was much higher than last month.
A mérőállás sokkal magasabb volt, mint a múlt hónapban.
The app records temperature readings every ten minutes.
Learner examples
The reading was 38 degrees.
A mért érték 38 fok volt.
Please take a meter reading.
Kérem, olvassa le a mérőállást.
Common mistake:
The common phrase is "take a reading," not usually "make a reading."
Meaning
Instrument measurement result
Collocations
meter reading
|temperature reading
|blood pressure reading
|pressure reading
|sensor reading
|odometer reading
|accurate reading
|digital reading
|high reading
|take a reading
Synonyms
measurement (More general; can refer to the act or the result.)
|
figure (Informal-neutral; emphasizes the number.)
|
result (General term for what a test or device shows.)
Themes
measurement
|technology
|health
|science
Definition
A number shown by a machine, meter, or test.
A number or result shown by a measuring instrument, device, or test.
NOUN
B1
5
felolvasás
B1
felolvasóest
C1
Usage pattern:
a reading by [author/poet]; give a reading from [work]; go to a [poetry/book] reading
The bookstore hosted a reading by a local poet.
A könyvesbolt felolvasást rendezett egy helyi költővel.
We went to a poetry reading downtown.
Elmentünk egy belvárosi versfelolvasásra.
She gave a short reading from her new novel.
Learner examples
I went to a book reading.
Elmentem egy könyvfelolvasásra.
The poet gave a reading.
A költő felolvasást tartott.
Common mistake:
A reading focuses on reading a text aloud; a lecture usually explains or teaches a topic.
Meaning
Public reading aloud
Collocations
poetry reading
|public reading
|book reading
|author reading
|live reading
|dramatic reading
|give a reading
|attend a reading
|reading tour
|reading series
Synonyms
recital (Often more formal and can involve music or memorized performance.)
|
performance (Broader; includes many kinds of public presentation.)
Themes
arts
|books
|events
|performance
Definition
An event where someone reads a story, poem, or other text to people.
An event or performance in which someone reads a written work aloud to an audience.
NOUN
B2
6
olvasmány
B1
Usage pattern:
a reading from [text]; [wedding/funeral/church/Bible] reading; the first/second reading
The first reading at the wedding was from a poem.
Az esküvőn az első felolvasott részlet egy versből származott.
She chose two readings for the memorial service.
Két felolvasandó szöveget választott a megemlékezésre.
Today's Gospel reading is about forgiveness.
Learner examples
He read a short reading at the wedding.
Egy rövid részletet olvasott fel az esküvőn.
The church reading was from the Bible.
A templomi olvasmány a Bibliából volt.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse "a reading" meaning the passage with "a reader," the person who reads it.
Meaning
Passage read aloud
Collocations
Bible reading
|Gospel reading
|scripture reading
|wedding reading
|funeral reading
|church reading
|selected readings
|the first reading
|the second reading
|a reading from a poem
Synonyms
passage (A section of text; it may or may not be read aloud.)
|
lesson (Used in some Christian services for a scripture passage.)
|
selection (A chosen piece from a longer work.)
Themes
ceremonies
|religion
|books
Definition
A piece of writing that someone reads aloud at a ceremony or service.
A passage from a book, poem, scripture, or other text that is chosen to be read aloud, especially in a ceremony or religious service.
NOUN
B2
7
Usage pattern:
a [tarot/psychic/palm/astrology] reading; get/book a reading
I booked a tarot reading for fun.
Szórakozásból bejelentkeztem egy tarot-jóslásra.
The psychic reading was vague, but my friend enjoyed it.
A jóslás homályos volt, de a barátom élvezte.
She offers astrology readings online.
Learner examples
She got a tarot reading.
Tarot-jóslást kért.
The reading lasted one hour.
A jóslás egy órán át tartott.
Common mistake:
This sense is countable: "a reading," "two readings."
Meaning
Psychic advice session
Collocations
tarot reading
|psychic reading
|palm reading
|astrology reading
|card reading
|birth chart reading
|get a reading
|book a reading
|online reading
|free reading
Synonyms
psychic consultation (More explicit and slightly more formal.)
|
fortune-telling session (Emphasizes predictions about the future.)
|
divination (More formal or technical; refers to the practice generally.)
Themes
spirituality
|entertainment
|beliefs
Definition
A meeting where a psychic, tarot reader, or similar person gives advice or predictions.
A session in which someone claims to use psychic, spiritual, astrological, or similar methods to give information or advice.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
8
olvasat
C1
Usage pattern:
the [first/second/third] reading of [bill]; [bill] passes its [second/third] reading
The bill passed its second reading by a narrow margin.
A törvényjavaslatot szűk többséggel második olvasatban is elfogadták.
MPs debated the proposal during its first reading.
A képviselők az első olvasat során vitatták meg a javaslatot.
The amendment was added before the third reading.
Learner examples
The bill had its first reading today.
A törvényjavaslat ma átesett az első olvasaton.
The law passed its final reading.
A törvényjavaslat átment az utolsó olvasaton.
Common mistake:
This is a political and legal use; it does not simply mean someone reads the bill silently.
Meaning
Legislative bill stage
Collocations
first reading
|second reading
|third reading
|bill's reading
|parliamentary reading
|committee reading
|pass its reading
|reading of the bill
|reading stage
|debate on second reading
Synonyms
stage (More general; does not specify the legislative procedure.)
|
legislative reading (More explicit term for this formal process.)
Themes
government
|law
|politics
Definition
A formal step in parliament or a legislature when a proposed law is considered.
One of the formal stages at which a proposed law is presented, debated, or considered in a legislature.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reading
IPA
GB/ɹˈidɪŋ/
US/ɹˈidɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
read - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (read)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reading
- Plural: reading, readings
Expressions
light reading
1/lˈaɪt ɹˈidɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Easy entertaining reading
Something easy and relaxing to read.
Examples
- I packed a mystery novel for some light reading on the beach.
- After a long day, I wanted light reading, not a history textbook.
- The magazine makes good light reading on the train.
Learner examples
- I want some light reading tonight.
- This comic is light reading.
read between the lines
1/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Find hidden meaning in text/speech
To understand a hidden meaning in what someone writes or says.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s unhappy.
- Reading between the lines, I think they’re planning to move.
read between the lines
1/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Infer hidden meaning
To understand what someone really means, even if they do not say it clearly.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, his email is actually a complaint.
- Reading between the lines, I don't think they want to hire more staff.
- The report sounds positive, but investors read between the lines and became worried.
Learner examples
- Read between the lines: she is unhappy.
- I can read between the lines.
read between the lines
2/ɹˈid bɪtwˈin ðə lˈaɪnz/
idiom
Understand hidden meaning not stated directly
To understand what someone really means even if they don't say it directly.
Examples
- If you read between the lines, you can tell she’s upset.
- Reading between the lines, his letter sounds like he’s not happy here.
read the room
1/ɹˈid ðə ɹˈum/
idiom
informal
Sense social mood
To understand how people in a place feel and act in the right way.
Examples
- He kept making jokes after the bad news, so someone told him to read the room.
- A good presenter knows how to read the room and adjust the tone.
- She is excellent at reading the room during difficult meetings.
Learner examples
- Please read the room before you speak.
- He is good at reading the room.
reading comprehension
1/ɹˈidɪŋ kˌɑmpɹihˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
understanding written texts
How well someone understands what they read.
Examples
- The test measures students’ reading comprehension, not their speed.
- Good vocabulary is essential for strong reading comprehension.
reading comprehension
1/ɹˈidɪŋ kˌɑmpɹihˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
Understanding written text
The skill of understanding what you read.
Examples
- The test measures vocabulary and reading comprehension.
- Children improve their reading comprehension by discussing stories.
- The article was too difficult for my current reading comprehension level.
Learner examples
- This exercise helps reading comprehension.
- Her reading comprehension is good.
reading glasses
1/ɹˈidɪŋ ɡlˈæsɪz/
fixed phrase
Glasses for close text
Glasses that help you see words or small things close to you.
Examples
- I need my reading glasses to see the menu.
- She bought a cheap pair of reading glasses at the pharmacy.
- He put on his reading glasses and checked the message.
Learner examples
- Where are my reading glasses?
- My father wears reading glasses.
reading level
1/ɹˈidɪŋ lˈɛvəl/
fixed phrase
Text or reader difficulty
How difficult a text is to read, or how well a person can read.
Examples
- The book is written at a fifth-grade reading level.
- The teacher chose stories that matched the students' reading level.
- Some government websites try to lower the reading level of their forms.
Learner examples
- This story is at my reading level.
- The article is above my reading level.
reading list
1/ɹˈidɪŋ lˈɪst/
fixed phrase
List of texts
A list of books or articles to read.
Examples
- The teacher gave us a reading list for the summer.
- I added two new articles to the course reading list.
- Her book is on every serious student's reading list.
Learner examples
- We have a long reading list.
- This novel is on my reading list.
required reading
1/ɹikwˈaɪɚd ɹˈidɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Essential assigned text
Something you have to read, or something very important to read.
Examples
- The safety manual is required reading for all new employees.
- This chapter is required reading before the exam.
- Her essay became required reading for anyone studying modern feminism.
Learner examples
- This book is required reading for class.
- The rules are required reading.