verb, read [red]
, read⋅ing [ree-ding]
, noun | 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.): 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 significance of by scrutiny or observation: to read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm; a fisherman 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. | Computers. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory. |
| 17. | British. 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. | to read or peruse written or printed matter. |
| 25. | to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing: to read to a person. |
| 26. | to give a public reading or recital. |
| 27. | to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters. |
| 28. | to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study. |
| 29. | to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading. |
| 30. | to admit of being read, esp. properly or well. |
| 31. | to have a certain wording. |
| 32. | to admit of being interpreted: a rule that reads in two different ways. |
| 33. | to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something: Her blood pressure is reading a little low today. |
| 34. | to have an effect or make an impression; show forth: Those battle photographs read with great impact. |
| 35. | Computers. to read data, programs, or control information. |
| 36. | an act or instance of reading: Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it. |
| 37. | something that is read: Her new novel is a wonderful read. |
| 38. | read in, Computers. to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory. |
| 39. | read out,
|
| 40. | read out of, 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. |
| 41. | read up on, 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. |
| 42. | read between the lines. line 1 (def. 81). |
| 43. | read for, (of an actor) to audition for (a role, a play, etc.). |
| 44. | read lips, to study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered. |
| 45. | read the green. Golf. green (def. 30). |
| 46. | read the riot act. Riot Act (def. 2). |

read
In addition to the idioms beginning with read, also see do you read me; open book, read like an.