1. to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book;to read music.
2. to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.): He spent the evening reading a story to his children.The actor read his lines in a booming voice.
3. to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it: to be able to read French.
4. to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers: to read Braille.
5. to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like): to read a semaphore;to read sign language.
6. to make out the character or significance of by scrutiny or observation: I read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm.A fisherman should be skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.
7. to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation: At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.
8. to foresee, foretell, or predict: to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.
9. to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.
10. to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.): How do you read this clause in the contract?
11. to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or observed: He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.
12. to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage: For “one thousand” another version reads “ten thousand.”
13. to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error: Read “cavalry” for “calvary.”
14. to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.
15. to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.
16. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.
17. to study (a subject), as at a university: to read law.
18. to read the work of (an author): She is reading Kafka.
19. to learn by or as if by reading: to read a person's thoughts.
20. to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive: I read you loud and clear.
21. to bring, put, etc., by reading: to read oneself to sleep.
22. to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.
23. to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).
24. Slang.
• to perceive (someone) as a particular gender, as cisgender, or as transgender: People keep reading me as a woman when I wear lipstick and as a man when I don't.Since I had top surgery, strangers usually read me as cis.
• to perceive (someone) as transgender or as the gender they were assigned at birth, especially when they do not wish to be so percieved: I was really happy with how I looked last night but getting read really upset me.

25. to read or peruse written or printed matter.
26. to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing: to read to a person.
27. to give a public reading or recital.
28. to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.
29. to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.
30. to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.
31. to admit of being read, especially properly or well.
32. to have a certain wording.
33. to admit of being interpreted: a rule that reads in two different ways.
34. to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something: Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.
35. to have an effect or make an impression; show forth: Those battle photographs read with great impact.
36. to read data, programs, or control information.

37. an act or instance of reading: Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.
38. something that is read: Her new novel is a wonderful read.

39. to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.
40. read out,
• to read aloud, as for someone's attention.
• to retrieve (information) from a computer.
41. to oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal: He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.
42. to learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading: You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.

43. line¹ (def. 82).
44. (of an actor) to audition for (a role, a play, etc.).
45. to study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered.
46. green (def. 35).
47. Riot Act (def. 2).

1. having knowledge gained by reading (usually used in combination): a well-read person.

1. American political leader: served in the Continental Congress 1774–77.
2. English critic and poet.
3. a male given name: from an Old English word meaning “red.”

1. to comprehend the meaning of (something written or printed) by looking at and interpreting the written or printed characters
2. to be occupied in such an activity
3. to look at, interpret, and speak aloud (something written or printed)
4. to interpret the significance or meaning of through scrutiny and recognition
5. to interpret or understand the meaning of (signs, characters, etc) other than by visual means
6. to have sufficient knowledge of (a language) to understand the written or printed word
7. to discover or make out the true nature or mood of
8. to interpret or understand (something read) in a specified way, or (of something read) to convey a particular meaning or impression
9. to adopt as a reading in a particular passage
10. to have or contain a certain form or wording
11. to undertake a course of study in (a subject)
12. to gain knowledge by reading
13. to register, indicate, or show
14. to bring or put into a specified condition by reading
15. to hear and understand, esp when using a two-way radio
16. to obtain (data) from a storage device, such as magnetic tape
17. to understand (written or printed music) by interpretation of the notes on the staff and to be able to reproduce the musical sounds represented by these notes
18. to censure or reprimand, esp in a long-winded manner
19. to perceive or deduce a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than being openly stated
20. an expression of dismay, disgust, or disbelief

21. matter suitable for reading
22. the act of reading

1. the past tense and past participle of read 1

2. having knowledge gained from books (esp in the phrases widely read, well-read)
3. to take something for granted as a fact; understand or presume

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