English Reference

Word

reader

Phoneticsread·er

US/ˈɹidɝ/

UK/ɹˈiːdɐ/

Definitions

01a person who reads

A1

n. someone who reads books, magazines, or other texts for pleasure or information.

n. a person who consumes written or printed matter.

“She is an avid reader who finishes at least two novels every week.”

“The author wrote a moving preface to thank every reader who had supported the series since its inception.”

Synonyms

bookworm

02a device

A2 · Computing

n. an electronic device that scans or displays information, like a card reader or an e-reader.

n. a technological device designed to scan, interpret, or display data from a specific medium.

“You need to tap your credit card on the reader to pay for the bus.”

“The technician replaced the faulty chip reader after several customers reported that their cards were being declined.”

Synonyms

scannere-reader

03a textbook

B1 · Education

n. a book with short stories or articles used to help people learn a language.

n. a textbook containing a collection of graded texts designed for students learning to read, particularly in a second language.

“Our teacher gave us a graded reader to help us practice our French.”

“The curriculum includes a supplementary reader featuring simplified versions of classic literature to build student confidence.”

Synonyms

04academic rank

C1

n. a high-level teacher at a university, usually in the UK.

n. a senior academic rank at a university, typically positioned between Senior Lecturer and Professor.

“He was recently promoted to Reader in History at the University of London.”

“Attaining the title of Reader requires a significant record of distinguished research and publication within one's specific field.”

British English · Formal

05reading glasses

B1

n. glasses that help you see small words when you are reading.

n. spectacles designed to correct vision for close-range tasks, specifically reading.

“I forgot my readers at home, so I can't see the menu clearly.”

“He kept several pairs of cheap readers scattered around the house so he would never be without them when a book was nearby.”

Informal

Usage

Almost always used in the plural form 'readers'.

Synonyms

06marked cards

C2 · Gambling

n. playing cards that have secret marks on the back so a cheater can know what they are.

n. playing cards that have been subtly altered or marked on the back to allow for cheating.

“The dealer was caught using readers during the high-stakes poker game.”

“The casino security team is trained to spot the tiny imperfections that identify a deck of readers.”

Slang

Usage

Usually used in the plural.

Collocations

encourage reader

Word family

The word in film

The Reader · 2008 · Romance

Directed by:
Stephen Daldry
Starring:
Ralph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Lena Olin

In this 2008 drama directed by Stephen Daldry, a young man spends his afternoons reading classic literature aloud to an older woman. Their relationship begins with these private sessions where he acts as a dedicated reader for her.

Domains

AdvertisingEducationGamblingReligion

This entry

Level
A1 · Beginner
Frequency
Common
Updated

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English Reference