What does “receive” mean?
- 1
verbto get something that someone gives or sends you
Did you receive my email?
- 2
verbto react to or welcome something or someone in a particular way
The new film was well received by critics.
Receive at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A2 (elementary)
- Pronunciation
- /rɪˈsiv/ · rih-SEEV
How to use “receive” correctly
Spelling: “i before e except after c”, so it is “receive”, not “recieve”. “Receive” is more formal than “get”.
Common phrases with “receive”
- receive a letter
- receive an award
- well received
- receive treatment
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- receipt
- receiver
- reception
- recipient
“receive” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- discuss verbA2to talk about something with other people
- explain verbA2to make something clear or easy to understand by giving details
- lie verbA2to be or put yourself in a flat position
- mean verbA2to have a particular meaning or to express a particular idea
- suggest verbA2to give an idea or plan for others to think about
- admit verbB1to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true or that you did something wrong
- argue verbB1to speak angrily to someone because you disagree
- article nounA2a piece of writing in a newspaper, magazine or website