# ridding

/ˈɹɪdɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈɪdɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ridding
Updated: 2026-10-15

## Definition

to remove something you do not want and become free of it. You use it when you clear away rubbish, bad habits, or problems.

For teachers: to remove something unwanted or to free a person or place from an unwanted thing or condition. Occurs most often in the pattern 'rid ... of ...'.

## Examples

- She is ridding her room of old clothes.
- The council is ridding the park of litter before the summer festival opens.
- After years of neglect, the new owners are ridding the house of damp, faulty wiring, and decades of clutter.

## Usage notes

- Takes a direct object plus 'of': 'ridding the house of mice'. Past form is usually 'rid'.

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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.