What does “read” mean?
- 1
verbto look at written words and understand them
I read the news on my phone every morning.
- 2
verbto say written words aloud
Dad reads a story to the kids at bedtime.
- 3
verbto show a particular message or measurement
The sign reads “No Parking”.
Read at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /rid/ · REED
- Forms
- read, read
How to use “read” correctly
The past forms are spelled “read” but pronounced RED. “Read between the lines” means understand a hidden meaning.
Common phrases with “read”
- read a book
- read aloud
- read about
- read between the lines
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- reader
- reading
- readable
Idioms with “read”
- Read between the lines: To understand a hidden meaning that is not said directly.
“read” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- book nounA1a set of printed pages fixed together inside a cover
- subject nounA1the thing that people are talking or writing about
- program nounA2a show on TV or radio
- ask verbA1to say or write a question to get information
- call verbA1to phone someone
- describe verbA1to say or write what someone or something is like
- draw verbA1to make a picture with a pen or pencil
- hear verbA1to notice sounds with your ears