receiver
gb/ɹɪsˈivɚ/ us/ɹɪsˈivɚ/
A2
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Part of device that gets signals
The part of a phone, radio, or TV that gets sound or signals.
Usage pattern:
[someone] picks up the receiver
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'receiver' with 'reception' — 'receiver' is the device part, 'reception' is the quality of signal.
Synonyms
handset (Specifically refers to the part of a telephone held in the hand.)
Antonyms
transmitter (A device or part that sends out signals instead of receiving them.)
Collocations
pick up the receiver
|put down the receiver
|phone receiver
|radio receiver
|signal receiver
Themes
technology
|communication
Examples
- She picked up the receiver and dialed his number.
- The old radio receiver was still working perfectly.
- He heard a strange noise coming from the receiver.
- Please put down the receiver when you’re finished.
- The signal was weak, so the receiver couldn’t pick it up clearly.
Learner examples
- I picked up the receiver and said hello.
- He put the receiver back on the phone.
- The radio receiver is very old.
- She spoke into the receiver.
- The receiver is broken.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Person who gets something
A person who gets something from someone else.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the receiver of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'receiver' with 'receiving' — 'receiver' is a person, 'receiving' is an action.
Synonyms
recipient (More formal term for someone who receives something.)
Antonyms
giver (Someone who gives rather than receives something.)
Collocations
receiver of the award
|gift receiver
|mail receiver
|receiver of funds
Themes
daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The receiver of the package signed for it at the door.
- She was the proud receiver of a scholarship.
- The award receiver thanked everyone for their support.
- He’s not just the receiver of help; he also gives back to others.
- The charity listed all receivers of donated items.
Learner examples
- I am the receiver of this letter.
- She is the receiver of the prize.
- He is the receiver of money from his parents.
- The mailman gave it to the receiver.
- The teacher named the receivers of the awards.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
3
Football player catching passes
In American football, a player who catches the ball from another player.
Common mistake:
Learners unfamiliar with American football may misinterpret this as any person receiving something; context is sports-specific.
Synonyms
pass-catcher (Informal term for a football player who catches passes.)
Antonyms
quarterback (The player who throws passes instead of catching them.)
Collocations
wide receiver
|star receiver
|pass to the receiver
Themes
sports
Examples
- The wide receiver caught the ball and ran for a touchdown.
- He’s one of the best receivers in the league this season.
- The quarterback threw a perfect pass to his receiver.
- The coach praised the receivers for their performance.
- They drafted a new receiver in the first round.
Learner examples
- The receiver caught the ball.
- He is a good football receiver.
- The quarterback passed to the receiver.
- The team has a fast receiver.
- The new receiver scored many points.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
4
Person managing bankrupt company's assets
A person chosen by a court to take care of a company's money and property when it has big money problems.
Synonyms
trustee (Similar legal role, though can differ in specific duties.)
Antonyms
owner (The person who normally controls the company before financial distress.)
Collocations
court-appointed receiver
|appoint a receiver
|receiver in bankruptcy
Themes
business
|law
|finance
Examples
- The court appointed a receiver to oversee the company's finances.
- As receiver, she was responsible for selling off assets to pay creditors.
- The business was placed in the hands of a receiver after going bankrupt.
- Receivers must act in the best interests of creditors.
- They argued about whether a receiver should be appointed.
Learner examples
- The court named a receiver for the company.
- A receiver sold the company's property.
- The company had a receiver because it had no money.
- The bank asked for a receiver to take control.
- The receiver paid money to people owed by the company.
Grammar
Dictionary form
receiver
IPA
GB/ɹɪsˈivɚ/
US/ɹɪsˈivɚ/
Syllables & stress
re - ceiv - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ceiv)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: receiver
- Plural: receivers
Word family
Forms
receivers
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unreceptive
adjective
Advanced or less common
receivable
adjective
receivership
noun
Expressions
pick up the receiver
1/pˈɪk ˈʌp ðə ɹɪsˈivɚ/
fixed phrase
Lift telephone handset to use it
To lift the part of a phone you hold so you can speak into it or listen.
Examples
- She picked up the receiver and called her friend.
- He picked up the receiver but there was no dial tone.
put down the receiver
1/pˈʊt dˈaʊn ðə ɹɪsˈivɚ/
fixed phrase
Replace phone handset after use
To put back the part of a phone you hold after you are done speaking or listening.
Examples
- He put down the receiver and walked away.
- She put down the receiver with a sigh.