English Reference
verb

recite

v.
US /ɹəˈsaɪt/ UK /ɹɪsˈaɪt/ re·cite UK spelling recited, recites

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    to say a poem, story, or prayer out loud after you have learned it by heart.

    to repeat a memorized text aloud, typically for an audience or as part of a ritual.

    Simple

    The young girl stood up and recited a short poem for her grandparents.

    In context

    Each student was required to recite a passage from Shakespeare, focusing on clear articulation and emotional resonance.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    to say a list of things or facts one by one.

    to enumerate or list a series of items, events, or facts in a systematic way.

    Simple

    He could recite the names of every king and queen in history.

    In context

    The witness proceeded to recite a long list of grievances, detailing every interaction with the defendant over the past three years.

    listenumeratedetail

Etymology 1

From Middle English reciten, from Old French reciter, from Latin recitō.

Etymology 2

From re- + cite.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin recitō
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated