read
gb/ɹˈid/ us/ɹˈid/
A1
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Understand written text
To look at words or symbols and know what they mean.
Usage pattern:
to read [a book/newspaper/sign]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'read' with 'study'; 'read' means to look at and understand written words, not necessarily to learn deeply.
Synonyms
peruse (More formal; often means to read carefully or thoroughly.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not pay attention to written or printed material.)
Collocations
read a book
|read aloud
|read carefully
|read the newspaper
|read instructions
Themes
communication
|education
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I like to read the newspaper every morning.
- She read the sign before entering the building.
- He reads three novels a month.
- Please read the instructions before using the machine.
Learner examples
- I read a book every night.
- She reads the menu before ordering.
- We read the map to find the park.
- He reads the letter slowly.
Verb
A2
action
2
Speak written words aloud
To look at words and say them so other people can hear.
Usage pattern:
to read [a passage] aloud
Synonyms
recite (To repeat from memory or read aloud, often in a formal setting.)
Antonyms
remain silent (To not speak or vocalize words.)
Collocations
read aloud
|read to children
|read poetry
Themes
communication
|education
Examples
- The teacher asked him to read the paragraph aloud.
- She reads bedtime stories to her kids every night.
- He read the poem to the audience.
Learner examples
- Please read this sentence aloud.
- She reads to her little brother every day.
- He reads the story to the class.
Verb
B1
action
3
Interpret signs or information
To understand information from something like a sign, clock, or machine.
Usage pattern:
to read [a map/a gauge/a signal]
Synonyms
interpret (Focuses on explaining meaning rather than just recognizing it.)
Antonyms
misinterpret (To understand incorrectly.)
Collocations
read a map
|read a clock
|read body language
Themes
technology
|navigation
|communication
Examples
- She can read a map very well.
- The technician read the pressure gauge.
- I can't read his facial expression.
Learner examples
- I can read this map easily.
- He reads the clock on the wall.
- She reads his face and knows he is sad.
Verb
B2
state
4
Be worded in writing
To say something in a certain way when you look at the writing.
Usage pattern:
'It reads [as/like] [something]'
Synonyms
state (Neutral term for expressing something in words.)
Collocations
the sign reads
|the label reads
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The sign reads 'No Parking'.
- Her note reads like a love letter.
- The label reads 'Made in Italy'.
Learner examples
- The book cover reads 'Harry Potter'.
- The sign reads 'Stop'.
- The card reads 'Happy Birthday'.
Noun
B1
event
5
An act of reading text
A time when you read something.
Synonyms
perusal (More formal; implies careful reading.)
Collocations
a good read
|have a read
Themes
communication
|education
Examples
- That book was a really good read.
- I had a quick read of your report.
- It's worth a second read.
Learner examples
- This book is a good read.
- I have a read before bed.
- That was an easy read.
Grammar
Dictionary form
read
IPA
GB/ɹˈid/
US/ɹˈid/
Syllables & stress
read (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (read)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: read
- Plural: reads
Verb
- Base: read
- 3rd Person Singular: reads
- Present Participle: reading
- Past: read
- Past Participle: read
Word family
Forms
reads
noun
reading
verb A1
Related words
reread
verb
misread
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unread
adjective
unreadable
adjective
Advanced or less common
readership
noun B2
Highlights
- Irregular past: read Verb
- Irregular past participle: read Verb
Expressions
read out
1/ɹˈid ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Read written words aloud to others
To say words from writing so other people can hear them.
Examples
- The teacher read out the names of the winners.
- He read out the announcement clearly.
read over
1/ɹˈid ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Examine written material carefully
To look at something written from start to end to check it or understand it better.
Examples
- Please read over your essay before handing it in.
- I read over the contract twice before signing.
read up on
1/ɹˈid ˈʌp ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Study a subject by reading about it
To get information about something by reading about it.
Examples
- I need to read up on Italian history before my trip.
- She’s been reading up on gardening techniques.
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.
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.