Meaning of read In English

• 0 to look at words or symbols and understand what they mean:

  • He spent a pleasant afternoon reading (the newspaper/a book).

  • I read about the family's success in the local paper.

  • It was too dark to read our map and we took a wrong turning.

  • Can you read music?

  • Your handwriting is so untidy I can't read it.

  • [ + (that) ] I've read in the newspapers (that) there is a threat of war.

  • Put your plastic card in the slot, and the machine will read it and identify who you are.

  • Some children can read (= have learned the skill of reading) by the age of four.

  • She read (the poem) slowly and quietly.

  • [ + two objects ] Their teacher always reads them a story at the end of the day.

  • Children love to have stories read (aloud/out) to them.

  • She missed the train because she read 18.30 p.m. as 8.30 p.m. instead of 6.30 p.m.

  • On page 19, for "Blitish", please read "British".

  • If I've read the situation correctly, we should have some agreement on the contract by the end of the week.

  • The letter reads as if it was written in a hurry.

  • Her latest novel reads well (= is written in an attractive way).

  • Do you read me?

  • I read you loud and clear.

  • Every night when I was a child my father used to read me to sleep.

• 1 (of something written or printed) to have or give the stated information or meaning:

  • [ + speech ] The start of the US Constitution reads "We, the people of the United States..."

  • The thermometer is reading 40°C in the shade.

• 2 to study at university or to study for a specialized qualification:

  • They're both reading history at Cambridge.

  • She's reading for the Bar (= studying to become a type of lawyer called a barrister).

• 3 the act of reading something:

  • It's not brilliant but it's worth a read.

  • The book is a good/easy, etc. read.

  • UK informal Could I have a read of (= can I read) your newspaper?

• 4 to obtain meaning or information by looking at written words or symbols:

  • [ T ] I read the book over the weekend.

  • [ I ] She couldn’t read or write.

  • [ I ] Did you read about the plan to build a new road to the airport?

  • [ + that clause ] I read that the job market for teachers is excellent.

  • [ T ] He reads music.

  • [ I/T ] She read the story to the class.

• 5 to understand the meaning or intention of something:

  • [ T ] If I’ve read the situation right, we’ll soon have agreement on a contract.

• 6 to show or state information:

  • [ L ] The sign read, "No parking here to corner."

  • [ T ] The gas company sends someone to read the meter every month.