# read

/ˈɹɛd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/read
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to understand written words

verb · CEFR A1

to look at words or symbols and understand what they mean.

For teachers: to look at and interpret written or printed characters or symbols to derive meaning.

- I like to read a few pages of my book before I go to sleep.
- The researcher had to read through hundreds of archived documents to find the specific evidence needed for the case.

### 2. to speak words aloud

verb · CEFR A2

to say the words of a book or letter out loud so others can hear.

For teachers: to utter aloud words that are written or printed.

- The teacher asked the student to read the next paragraph to the class.
- The actor was asked to read for the lead role, demonstrating his ability to convey emotion through the script's dialogue.

### 3. to study a subject

verb · CEFR B2 · British English · Formal

to study a specific subject at a university.

For teachers: to study a particular academic subject at a university level.

- My brother went to Oxford to read history and politics.
- She elected to read Law at Cambridge, following in the footsteps of several generations of her family.

### 4. to interpret a situation

verb · CEFR B2

to understand the hidden meaning or feelings in a situation or person.

For teachers: to interpret or infer the meaning, significance, or hidden intentions of a person or situation.

- It is sometimes difficult to read his body language during a meeting.
- Experienced negotiators are often able to read the subtle shifts in their opponent's tone to predict their next move.

### 5. to access data

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

when a computer gets information from a disk or memory.

For teachers: to extract or retrieve data from a storage medium or device.

- The computer cannot read the file because the disk is damaged.
- The system was unable to read the encrypted sectors of the hard drive without the correct administrative credentials.

### 6. to hear over radio

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to be able to hear and understand someone talking over a radio.

For teachers: to hear and understand a person transmitting over a radio connection.

- Loud and clear, I read you five by five.
- The pilot confirmed that he could read the control tower despite the heavy atmospheric interference.

### 7. to criticize playfully

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Humorous

to point out someone's flaws in a funny or slightly mean way.

For teachers: to wittily or insultingly expose someone's flaws, often within a specific subculture.

- She really read him for his terrible fashion sense.
- The comedian spent the entire set reading members of the front row for their questionable life choices.

### 8. something to read

noun · CEFR B1

a book or article that is described by how good it is to read.

For teachers: a piece of writing considered in terms of its quality or the experience of reading it.

- That new biography is a very long but interesting read.
- The editor described the manuscript as a compelling read that would likely dominate the bestseller lists for months.

### 9. an interpretation

noun · CEFR B2

your personal opinion or understanding of a situation.

For teachers: an individual's particular interpretation or impression of a situation or text.

- What is your read on the new manager's personality?
- After reviewing the quarterly figures, the analyst provided a cautious read on the company's future growth prospects.

## Examples

- I like to read a book before I go to sleep.
- She sat on the train and started to read the morning newspaper while drinking her coffee.
- The ability to read critically allows a person to distinguish between objective reporting and biased commentary in modern media.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.