# reader

/ˈɹidɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈiːdɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a person who reads

noun · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a device

noun · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a textbook

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. academic rank

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. reading glasses

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'readers'.

### 6. marked cards

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually used in the plural.

## Examples

- She is an avid reader who finishes two books every week.
- The teacher asked every student to buy the graded reader for the intermediate English course.
- While the author intended the novel for a general audience, the academic reader may find deeper layers of symbolism regarding the historical period.

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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.