# recite

/ɹəˈsaɪt/ (US) · /ɹɪsˈaɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to say from memory

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The young girl stood up and recited a short poem for her grandparents.
- Each student was required to recite a passage from Shakespeare, focusing on clear articulation and emotional resonance.

### 2. to list facts

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- He could recite the names of every king and queen in history.
- The witness proceeded to recite a long list of grievances, detailing every interaction with the defendant over the past three years.

## Examples

- She can recite the entire poem without looking at the book.
- The students were asked to recite the multiplication tables in front of the class to prove they had studied.
- During the ceremony, the witness was required to recite the official oath, ensuring every word was spoken clearly for the court record.

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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.