READ

verb [I or T ] A1 (irregular: read - read - read) • read (something) to someone; read someone something💡PRONUNCIATION: present tense /riːd/ (sounds like "reed"), past tense and past participle /red/ (sounds like the color "red") • freq in AmE: 10/10

to look at and understand written or printed words, letters, or symbols; to speak written words aloud; to obtain information from instruments or displays

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • I read about the accident; she loves reading about history; have you read about...? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read text or information concerning a particular topic or person

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • read (something) to someone = read someone (something) • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read aloud for another person to hear; commonly used with children or for entertainment

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • read (something) to someone = read someone (something) • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read specific text or material aloud for another person to hear

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • read (something) to someone = read someone (something) • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read specific text or material aloud to a person (alternative word order with indirect object first)

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • read (something) aloud/out loud (to someone) • read (something) aloud so...; read (something) aloud from... • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read with your voice so others can hear; to speak written words audibly

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • read (something) aloud/out loud (to someone) • read (something) aloud so...; read (something) aloud from... • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read with your voice so others can hear; to speak written words audibly

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • opposite: read (something) aloud/out loud (to someone)💡Note: "read silently" = mental reading, no vocalization; "read quietly" = with voice, but softly/in low volume • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read without speaking; to process written text mentally without vocalizing

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] B2 (read - read - read) • don't read this as criticism; she read the comment as...; could be read as... • freq in AmE: 8/10

to interpret or understand something in a particular way; to perceive meaning or significance

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A1 (read - read - read) • learn to read; can you read Chinese?; can't read without... • freq in AmE: 10/10

to have the ability or skill to read; to be literate

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • did you read that...? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to learn or discover information from reading; used to report information obtained through reading

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read)💡NOTE: "In" is used for print media (in the newspaper, in a book). "On" is used for digital/online sources (on the internet, on a website) • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read content that appears in a particular source or medium

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read)💡NOTE: "In" is used for print media (in the newspaper, in a book). "On" is used for digital/online sources (on the internet, on a website) • freq in AmE: 7/10

to discover or learn information by reading a particular source

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] B2 (read - read - read)💡This is more formal/literary. Often used to analyze tone, style, or implied meaning in written text • freq in AmE: 6/10

to give the impression or appear to be written in a particular manner or state

grammar pattern with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read - read - read) • read (something) in/on something (that)...💡NOTE: "In" is used for print media (in the newspaper, in a book). "On" is used for digital/online sources (on the internet, on a website)

to read content that appears in a particular source or medium

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A1 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read literature, read fiction/non-fiction • have you read this book? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read a written work of fiction or non-fiction published in book form

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A1 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read the press, read periodicals • do you read newspapers? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read printed or digital periodical publications containing news, articles, and features

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read a piece, read a story • did you read that article? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read a piece of writing on a specific topic, typically found in newspapers, magazines, or online

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read thoroughly, read attentively💡"Carefully" and "closely" are nearly synonymous here - both emphasize thoroughness and attention to detail • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read with great attention to detail; to examine text thoroughly

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read fast/slow, speed-read/read at leisure • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read at a fast or slow pace; to control the speed of reading

— phrasal verb with read verb [T ] B2 • synonyms: review, go through • can you read through this?; read through it carefully • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read something quickly from the beginning to the end, especially to find mistakes; to read something completely from beginning to end; to review or examine text thoroughly

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read correspondence, read a message • I just read your email; have you read my email? • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read written correspondence, whether physical mail or electronic messages

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonym: check a text • did you read my message?; he never reads my texts • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read a short written communication sent via mobile phone or messaging app

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read a notice, read a placard • can you read that sign?; read the sign - it says... • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read text displayed on a notice, placard, or indicator providing information or directions

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read the directions, read the manual • always read the instructions; she never reads the instructions; read the instructions carefully • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read directions or guidelines explaining how to do something or use something💡Often used with imperatives or in contexts where someone failed to follow directions.

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B1 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read papers, review documents • freq in AmE: 9/10

to read formal written materials, typically in professional or official contexts

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: read a tale, read fiction • read stories to someone; read a story about something; read bedtime stories • freq in AmE: 10/10

to read a narrative or tale, often fiction, for entertainment or to children

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B2 idiom (read-read-read) • synonyms: understand the subtext, perceive hidden meaning, read the subtext • freq in AmE: 9/10

to understand the hidden meaning or true intent behind what someone says or writes; to perceive what is not explicitly stated💡This is an idiom. It means understanding implicit or hidden meaning, not literal reading.

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B1 idiom (read-read-read) • synonyms: understand someone's thoughts, know what someone is thinking • stop trying to read my mind • freq in AmE: 9/10

to know or guess what someone is thinking without them saying it; to understand someone's thoughts💡This is an idiom/expression. It doesn't mean literal mind-reading, but rather understanding someone's thoughts or intentions.

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B2 modern idiom (read-read-read) • synonyms: sense the mood, understand the atmosphere, gauge the situation • freq in AmE: 8/10

to understand the mood, atmosphere, or social dynamics of a situation; to sense what's appropriate based on context💡This is a modern idiom, very popular in recent years. It means sensing the social/emotional atmosphere.

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B2 idiom (read-read-read) • synonyms: understand someone completely, know someone thoroughly • freq in AmE: 8/10

to understand someone's thoughts, feelings, or intentions very easily; to know someone so well you can predict their behavior💡This is an idiom. It emphasizes complete understanding or transparency - as easy as reading a simple book.

collocation with read something into something phrasal verb [I or T ] B2 • synonyms: overinterpret, overanalyze, make too much of something • read too much into it/this; tend to read too much into something • freq in AmE: 8/10

to interpret something as having more meaning or significance than it actually does; to overanalyze💡Usually used as advice or criticism - suggesting someone is overinterpreting or overthinking.

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 (read-read-read) • synonyms: look at the menu, review the menu, check the menu • can I read the menu?; let's read the menu • freq in AmE: 10/10

to look at and review the list of food and drinks available at a restaurant

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B2 adjective phrase (read-read-read) • synonyms: well-educated, knowledgeable, erudite, literate • very well-read; I wish I were more well-read • freq in AmE: 8/10

to have read many books and have extensive knowledge from reading; to be educated and knowledgeable through reading

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B2 passive construction💡Different from "be well-read" (#19). This describes the CONTENT being read by many, not a PERSON who has read a lot • freq in AmE: 7/10

to be read by many people; to have a large readership (for books, articles, etc.)

— phrasal verb with read verb [I ] B2 • synonyms: research, study up on, learn about through reading💡"Up" emphasizes thorough or extensive reading on a subject • freq in AmE: 8/10

to read a lot about a particular subject in order to learn about it; to research a topic through reading

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B1 • synonyms: read for fun, read for enjoyment, pleasure reading • read for pleasure; reading for pleasure • freq in AmE: 8/10

to read for enjoyment or entertainment rather than for work, study, or obligation

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B1 • freq in AmE: 8/10

to read aloud using a particular source or text as reference

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A1 • synonyms: acquire literacy, become literate • freq in AmE: 10/10

to acquire the skill and ability to read written text; to become literate

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A2 • synonyms: be passionate about reading, be an avid reader • freq in AmE: 10/10

to find great pleasure and satisfaction in reading; to have reading as a favorite activity

collocation with read verb [I or T ] A1 • synonyms: be literate, have literacy skills💡These two skills are almost always mentioned together as the foundation of literacy • freq in AmE: 10/10

the two fundamental literacy skills; the ability to both comprehend written text and produce it

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B1 • synonyms: read smoothly, read with ease, read well • freq in AmE: 8/10

to read smoothly, easily, and accurately with good speed and comprehension

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B1 • synonyms: read sheet music, read musical notation • freq in AmE: 8/10

to understand and interpret musical notation; to be able to read written musical scores

collocation with read verb [I or T ] B1 • synonyms: can't stop reading, find compelling, be engrossed in • freq in AmE: 8/10

to find a book so interesting or engaging that you don't want to stop reading it💡This is an idiom expressing how captivating or engrossing a book is. Often used in book reviews and recommendations.