reading
Understanding written words
The activity of understanding words in books, articles, messages, and other texts.
reading; reading for pleasure; do some reading; reading [books/articles]; reading aloud
- Reading before bed helps me relax.
- The school is trying to improve children's reading skills.
- She spends most of her commute reading on her phone.
- I enjoy reading books.
- Reading is important at school.
Texts to be read
Books, articles, or other texts that you read, especially for a class or subject.
[assigned/recommended/further] reading; readings for [course/class]; [something] makes [interesting/heavy] reading
- The professor posted this week's readings online.
- The article is useful background reading for the meeting.
- The report makes uncomfortable reading for the company.
- We have three readings for Monday.
- This book is easy reading.
Interpretation of something
Someone's opinion about what something means.
[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.
- That's a very narrow reading of the rule.
- Her reading of the poem focuses on grief and memory.
- What is your reading of the problem?
- His reading of the story was different from mine.
Instrument measurement result
A number shown by a machine, meter, or test.
[meter/temperature/blood pressure] reading; take a reading; a reading of [number]
- The nurse took a blood pressure reading.
- The meter reading was much higher than last month.
- The app records temperature readings every ten minutes.
- The reading was 38 degrees.
- Please take a meter reading.
Public reading aloud
An event where someone reads a story, poem, or other text to people.
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.
- We went to a poetry reading downtown.
- She gave a short reading from her new novel.
- I went to a book reading.
- The poet gave a reading.
Passage read aloud
A piece of writing that someone reads aloud at a ceremony or service.
a reading from [text]; [wedding/funeral/church/Bible] reading; the first/second reading
- The first reading at the wedding was from a poem.
- She chose two readings for the memorial service.
- Today's Gospel reading is about forgiveness.
- He read a short reading at the wedding.
- The church reading was from the Bible.
Psychic advice session
A meeting where a psychic, tarot reader, or similar person gives advice or predictions.
a [tarot/psychic/palm/astrology] reading; get/book a reading
- I booked a tarot reading for fun.
- The psychic reading was vague, but my friend enjoyed it.
- She offers astrology readings online.
- She got a tarot reading.
- The reading lasted one hour.
Legislative bill stage
A formal step in parliament or a legislature when a proposed law is considered.
the [first/second/third] reading of [bill]; [bill] passes its [second/third] reading
- The bill passed its second reading by a narrow margin.
- MPs debated the proposal during its first reading.
- The amendment was added before the third reading.
- The bill had its first reading today.
- The law passed its final reading.
- Base: reading
- Plural: reading, readings
light reading
1Easy entertaining reading
Something easy and relaxing to read.
- 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.
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.
read the room
1Sense social mood
To understand how people in a place feel and act in the right way.
- 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.
reading comprehension
1understanding written texts
How well someone understands what they read.
- The test measures students’ reading comprehension, not their speed.
- Good vocabulary is essential for strong reading comprehension.
reading comprehension
1Understanding written text
The skill of understanding what you read.
- 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.
reading glasses
1Glasses for close text
Glasses that help you see words or small things close to you.
- 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.
reading level
1Text or reader difficulty
How difficult a text is to read, or how well a person can read.
- 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.
reading list
1List of texts
A list of books or articles to read.
- 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.
required reading
1Essential assigned text
Something you have to read, or something very important to read.
- 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.