read
Understand written text
To look at words or symbols and know what they mean.
to read [a book/newspaper/sign]
- 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.
- 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.
Speak written words aloud
To look at words and say them so other people can hear.
to read [a passage] aloud
- 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.
- Please read this sentence aloud.
- She reads to her little brother every day.
- He reads the story to the class.
Interpret signs or information
To understand information from something like a sign, clock, or machine.
to read [a map/a gauge/a signal]
- She can read a map very well.
- The technician read the pressure gauge.
- I can't read his facial expression.
- I can read this map easily.
- He reads the clock on the wall.
- She reads his face and knows he is sad.
Be worded in writing
To say something in a certain way when you look at the writing.
'It reads [as/like] [something]'
- The sign reads 'No Parking'.
- Her note reads like a love letter.
- The label reads 'Made in Italy'.
- The book cover reads 'Harry Potter'.
- The sign reads 'Stop'.
- The card reads 'Happy Birthday'.
An act of reading text
A time when you read something.
- That book was a really good read.
- I had a quick read of your report.
- It's worth a second read.
- This book is a good read.
- I have a read before bed.
- That was an easy read.
- Base: read
- Plural: reads
- Base: read
- 3rd Person Singular: reads
- Present Participle: reading
- Past: read
- Past Participle: read
- Irregular past: read Verb
- Irregular past participle: read Verb
read out
1Read written words aloud to others
To say words from writing so other people can hear them.
- The teacher read out the names of the winners.
- He read out the announcement clearly.
read over
1Examine written material carefully
To look at something written from start to end to check it or understand it better.
- Please read over your essay before handing it in.
- I read over the contract twice before signing.
read up on
1Study a subject by reading about it
To get information about something by reading about it.
- I need to read up on Italian history before my trip.
- She’s been reading up on gardening techniques.
read between the lines
1Find hidden meaning in text/speech
To understand a hidden meaning in what someone writes or says.
- 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
1Infer hidden meaning
To understand what someone really means, even if they do not say it clearly.
- 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
2Understand hidden meaning not stated directly
To understand what someone really means even if they don't say it directly.
- 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.