Word
recede
Phoneticsre·cede, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈsid/
UK/ɹɪsˈiːd/
Definition
v. to move back or away from a place. It often describes things like water going back into the sea or a crowd moving away from a stage.
v. to move back or away from a position; to withdraw or retreat. Often describes the physical movement of a liquid or the gradual reduction of a crowd.
Examples
“The tide begins to recede at sunset.”
“As the sun went down, the crowd started to recede, leaving the empty stadium in silence.”
“The morning mist began to recede as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, revealing the jagged peaks of the distant mountains.”
Examples
simple
“The tide begins to recede at sunset.”
contextual
“As the sun went down, the crowd started to recede, leaving the empty stadium in silence.”
complex
“The morning mist began to recede as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, revealing the jagged peaks of the distant mountains.”
Real-World Examples
“The pair disappeared from view and reemerged after several seconds as the wave receded.” “He also told the BBC that many people had already fled into the hills because the sea had also receded.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English receden, from Middle French receder and its etymon Latin recedere (“to withdraw; to go back”), from re- + cedere (“to go”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/recede