recite
gb/ɹɪsˈaɪt/ us/ɹɪsˈaɪt/
B1
English
~ 9000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
say learned words from memory
To say words aloud that you have learned by memory, without looking at the text.
Usage pattern:
to recite [a poem/prayer/speech] from memory
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "read" instead of "recite" when the person is not looking at the text. Use "recite" when the person says the words from memory, and "read" when they look at a book, screen, or paper.
Synonyms
recite (Base form; no alternative synonym needed closer than 'quote' or 'deliver'.)
|
quote (Often used when repeating someone else's exact words; may be read or from memory.)
|
chant (Suggests rhythmic or musical repetition, often in groups or religious settings.)
|
deliver (Common for speeches; focuses on performance, not specifically on using memory.)
Antonyms
improvise (Means to speak or perform without preparation or memorized words, the opposite of reciting from memory.)
Collocations
recite a poem
|recite from memory
|recite a prayer
|recite a speech
|recite the alphabet
|recite lines
Themes
education
|arts
|religion
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The child proudly recited the entire poem from memory.
- At the ceremony, she recited a short prayer for the guests.
- He can recite all the lines from his favorite movie.
- Students were asked to recite a short speech in front of the class.
- Monks recite the same verses every morning as part of their ritual.
Learner examples
- She can recite the poem without looking at the book.
- The boy recited a prayer before dinner.
- In class, each student recited one line from the play.
- He learned the song and recited the words for his parents.
- The children recited the alphabet together.
Verb
B2
action
2
list facts or items aloud
To say many facts, names, or reasons one after another, usually in a long list.
Usage pattern:
to recite [a list/reasons/facts]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with simply "say" or "tell." Use "recite" when someone gives many details or items in order, not just when they speak in general. Also, do not use it for creative storytelling; "recite" suggests a fixed or known list or set of facts.
Synonyms
list (Very close in meaning, but more general and often used for written lists as well as spoken ones.)
|
enumerate (More formal; emphasizes going through items one by one in an organized way.)
|
reel off (Informal; suggests saying many items quickly and easily.)
Antonyms
summarize (Gives only the main points instead of going through each item one by one.)
Collocations
recite a list
|recite the facts
|recite the details
|recite a series of reasons
|recite the names
|recite the charges
Themes
communication
|law
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She calmly recited a long list of complaints to the manager.
- The witness recited the facts of the case in chronological order.
- He can recite the names of every player on the team.
- The lawyer recited the terms of the contract for the client.
- When asked why he was late, he recited a series of excuses.
Learner examples
- The teacher recited the rules of the game.
- He recited all the names of his classmates.
- She recited the steps of the recipe to me.
- The guide recited the dates of each important event.
- The officer recited the charges to the man.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
say a prepared lesson in class
To speak a lesson or answer aloud in class to show that you studied it.
Usage pattern:
to recite [the lesson/an answer] in class
Common mistake:
Learners may think "recite" always sounds old-fashioned in school contexts. While it is less common in everyday speech today, it is still used in formal or traditional education settings. Do not use "recite" when students are just talking freely or discussing; it implies a prepared or memorized response.
Synonyms
answer (General word; does not always include the idea of giving a full prepared lesson aloud.)
|
respond (Focuses on replying to a question; not limited to prepared or memorized material.)
Antonyms
remain silent (Describes a student not speaking or refusing to participate when asked to recite.)
Collocations
recite the lesson
|recite in class
|recite the answer
|recite before the teacher
|students recite
|called on to recite
Themes
education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The teacher asked each student to recite the lesson at the front of the room.
- I was nervous, because I knew the professor might call on me to recite.
- In traditional schools, children often had to recite passages from their textbooks.
- Only three students were prepared to recite when the class began.
- She recited perfectly and impressed everyone in the classroom.
Learner examples
- Today we must recite the lesson in class.
- The teacher called my name, and I had to recite.
- In this school, students often recite in front of the class.
- I did not study, so I could not recite well.
- When I recite, I try to speak clearly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recite
IPA
GB/ɹɪsˈaɪt/
US/ɹɪsˈaɪt/
Syllables & stress
re - cite (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cite)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: recite
- 3rd Person Singular: recites
- Present Participle: reciting
- Past: recited
Word family
Forms
recites
verb
reciting
verb
recited
verb
Core family
recitation
noun B2
Related words
recital
noun B2
reciter
noun
Expressions
recite by heart
1/ɹɪsˈaɪt bˈaɪ hˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
say something by memory
To say words aloud because you know them very well in your mind, without reading them.
Examples
- She can recite by heart every poem in the book.
- By the end of the course, you should be able to recite the speech by heart.
recite from memory
1/ɹɪsˈaɪt fɹˈʌm mˈɛmɚi/
fixed phrase
say learned words without reading
To say something aloud that you learned before, without looking at the text.
Examples
- He can recite from memory long passages of Shakespeare.
- Each child had to recite from memory in front of the class.