read

To look at written words and understand what they say.

• I read a book every week.
• She read your email yesterday.
• Can you read the sign from here?

Similar words: interpret, understand, scan

Common phrases: read a book, read something carefully, learn to read

To say written words aloud so that other people can hear them.

• Please read the next sentence aloud.
• Dad read us a story last night.
• She reads to the children every evening.

How to use it: read something to someone (She read the letter to her mother.); read someone something (He read his daughter a story.)

Similar words: read out

Common phrases: read aloud, read to someone, read someone something

To study a subject at university.

• She went to university to read law.
• He is reading history at Oxford.
• My aunt read medicine before becoming a doctor.

How to use it: read something at a university (She read English at Cambridge.)

Similar words: study

Common phrases: read law, read medicine, read something at

A book, article, or other piece of writing, described by how enjoyable or interesting it is.

• This book is a good read.
• Her latest novel was an exciting read.
• I need an easy read for the train.

Common phrases: good read, great read, easy read

An occasion when you look through and understand a piece of writing.

• Give this letter a read.
• A quick read helped me find the error.
• She gave the script another read before rehearsal.

How to use it: give something a read (Could you give my draft a read?)

Similar words: reading

Common phrases: give something a read, a quick read, a careful read

Your understanding or impression of a situation or person.

• What is your read on the situation?
• My read is that she wants to leave.
• He had a different read of the election results.

How to use it: a read on/of something (What is your read on his mood?)

Similar words: interpretation, assessment, impression

Common phrases: read on something, read of something, my read